Newly-appointed NSW coach Brad Haddin has given Test discard Sam Konstas a huge vote of confidence, despite the likelihood the young gun will lose his Cricket Australia contract. And Haddin is under no illusions about the huge task in front of him to try and turn the Blues into Sheffield Shield contenders again, following several years of underwhelming results.
NSW Cricket confirmed on Wednesday that Haddin would replace Greg Shipperd as their new coach for the Shield and One-Day Cup sides. The former Test vice-captain has made it clear he does not want the role to include coaching the Sydney Sixers or Thunder in the BBL.
Newly-appointed NSW cricket coach Brad Haddin has given Australia Test discard Sam Konstas a huge vote of confidence after admitting he has a big job ahead of him. Pic: Getty
Haddin’s appointment comes just days after outgoing coach Shipperd led the Blues to the One-Day Cup title. But the Blues have struggled in the red-ball format since last playing in the finals in the 2020-21 season, winning just 11 Shield matches across that period. NSW only recorded two wins this season to finish fifth in the standings.
Having regularly churned out the most Test players of all the states, NSW has only produced two red-ball debutants for Australia in the past decade. And Haddin knows that turning some of his star-studded crop of players into Test stars is a massive part of his remit.
“I’m under no illusions that I’ve got to start to produce some Australian players,” Haddin said. “There’s going to be retirements over the next few years and we need the next guys stepping up to be NSW players. Is that at the moment? I’m not sure.”
Former Australia Test star Brad Haddin (R) has replaced Greg Shipperd (L) as the new head coach of the NSW cricket team . Pic: Getty
Brad Haddin buoyed by Sam Konstas’ displays for NSW
Five-Test star Konstas remains one of the most exciting prospects at NSW, and is the only one of Australia’s past 15 debutants the state has produced. But after his unforgettable Boxing Day Test debut against India in the 2024/25 series, Konstas has fallen down the pecking order after being dropped from the Test side. He’s also expected to lose his national contract ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Konstas showed glimpses of the form that earned him a Test call-up during this Shield season, with a superb century against Queensland at the SCG in December. But when the red-ball competition resumed after the BBL break, the 20-year-old failed to notch another half century for the rest of the season.
Former Australia opener Sam Konstas gave Test selectors a reminder of his class with a superb Sheffield Shield century against Queensland in December. Pic: Getty
(Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images)
He was never dismissed for less than 27 runs across those final eight innings though, and Konstas finished up as the Blues’ top run-scorer (660 runs at 33.00). Haddin says the challenge for Konstas going forward will be turning those promising starts into match-defining scores.
“He’s doing the hardest part of cricket now,” Haddin said. “He’s getting through that initial stage at the top of the order. Once he starts to understand what his game’s at and under pressure, look out. The kid can play.”
Haddin thinks Konstas may have been handed his Test debut before he was ready, but is convinced the young opener has what it takes to force his way back into calculations for Australia. “He may have got thrown in there too early … now he’s got an opportunity to come back and hone his game and to get back to where he was.”
with AAP