Australian opener Konstas says he has 'come a long way'

Sydney: Teenage opener Sam Konstas said Saturday he had come a long way from his combative debut against India after winning his place back for Aust...

Sydney: Teenage opener Sam Konstas said Saturday he had "come a long way" from his combative debut against India after winning his place back for Australia's opening Test against the West Indies.

The 19-year-old made headlines in the Melbourne Boxing Day Test last year when he took on fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to make a blazing debut 60 with a slew of unorthodox shots.

But he only lasted one more Test before being jettisoned with some pundits seeing his batting as "reckless".

With a struggling Marnus Labuschagne dropped for the opening Test in Barbados on June 25 and Steve Smith out nursing an injured finger, Konstas has another chance, confirmed as a certain starter.

"The emotions probably got to me with the crowd," Konstas, who has his Test cap No.468 tattooed on his forearm, said of his explosive Boxing Day knock.