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David Warner calls for Australian cricket team to take notes from Sam Konstas’ ‘bravery’

David Warner has called for the Australian cricket team to take inspiration from Sam Konstas' debut performance in a bid to claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney.

Konstas fronted the international stage in sensational fashion and took on the power of Jasprit Bumrah to leave the Indian superstar conceding 18 runs off a singular over – the most in his Test career.

The innings was the third-fastest by any Australian star on debut, leaving many of the sport's greatest stars in awe.

Warner praised his Thunder teammate's aggression and confidence with the bat, given the amount of pressure he was under to perform.

He went on to make a simple request for selectors and the general public ahead of the final Test in Sydney. Stick with him.

"It was very special," Warner said of Konstas' efforts.

David Warner of the Thunder celebrates with Sam Konstas. Cricket Australia via Getty Imag

"People are going to criticise him as well. That's the nature of the beast, that's the way he is going to play.

"When someone like Bumrah is bowling to you, you have to try and execute somehow. They put a third man in and fine leg to him and bowled him through the gate (in the second innings).

"He will look back on that and go, 'What a great experience in the Boxing Day Test'. He now gets to come here for New Year's Test."

David Warner calls for Australian cricket team to take notes from Sam Konstas' 'bravery'

Sam Konstas of Australia gestures to the crowd. Getty

The 19-year-old sensation has had a year to remember, making twin tons for NSW in the Sheffield Shield, a century in the Prime Minister's XI and then a record-breaking half-century on debut with the Thunder.

Adding to his success, Konstas found himself on debut for Australia.

All of which, according to Warner, should be used to acknowledge his worth to remain on the national team.

"What he did in the Prime Minister's XI shows he has that talent. But it also shows he is brave," he said.

"Him being brave at the top of the order, you've got guys who have played 50 Tests, they could have been brave as well. They could've played different shots, they could have moved out of their crease and batted differently.

"Smudge [Steve Smith] tried a million different things. But it shouldn't take someone to come out there and be brave to get that momentum shifting.

"You have experience at the top of the order, experience in that whole lineup.

"Travis Head took the game away from them in Adelaide with that magnificent hundred. It shouldn't take that guy just to come and do that.

"It's the way the Australians played but other people can be braver as well."

The difference between a victory or defeat could likely come down to the challenge of Bumrah, who has proved to be one of the biggest obstacles in Australia's pursuit.

The 31-year-old has taken 30 wickets so far in the series at an average of just 12.83.

Konstas was the first batter to throw the bowler off the path but he managed to recover in rapid time.

"You're also hoping Bumrah gets it off that handkerchief, he's a genius," Warner said.

"He is averaging under 20. His record is incredible.

"To put him off, that is tough. You can't just try and negate that. Uzzy [Usman Khawaja] managed to face two balls in his first spell, that's luck batters need as well

"Fortunately for him, he got a half-century. Hopefully, that builds momentum and gives him that positive energy to come into Sydney where he's got a good record as well."

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