Cricket fans love a good comeback story, don’t we? From batters who rediscover their touch to bowlers who tweak their action and suddenly become unplayable—it’s part of what makes the sport so addictive. Right now, one of the most fascinating journeys belongs to 19-year-old Sam Konstas. After a rough outing in the West Indies, the young Aussie opener has been grinding away to sharpen his game ahead of the Ashes. But here’s the twist: it’s not just about net sessions and throwdowns.
Saunas as Cricket Training
When you think of saunas, I’m assuming you think of either a college guy after a gym session or maybe a spa day relaxing. This isn’t exactly what most people associate with a teenage batter, who is acclimatizing in Perth ahead of a game against England. But saunas, for Konstas, are a training tool. Given that Australia A is touring India, he knew he had to get his body ready for the unbearable heat coupled with a humid, draining nature.
And let’s be honest—batting in India isn’t just about spin or technique, it’s about lasting long hours in punishing heat. The ability to stay calm while drenched in sweat could be the difference between nicking off for 20 or grinding out a match-defining hundred. Konstas’ sauna sessions aren’t glamorous, but they’re an example of how modern cricketers think outside the box to get an edge. It’s not just skill; it’s science.
Mind Over Matter: Meditation at the Crease
By abandoning Instagram and practicing mindfulness, he’s learning to create boundaries with the “noise”—the critics, the peer comparisons, and the pressures of being a teenager thrown into the most significant matches of his life. In meditation, he recalls the wisdom of resetting the mind, staying present, and only thinking about the next ball. That is a significant benefit. Think of it as a DRS system for his mind, allowing him to make better decisions in the moment rather than being stuck in the past.
The Bigger Picture: Preparing for the Ashes
Greg Shipperd, the coach for Konsta in New South Wales, has been aware of Konsta’s commitment and flexibility for some time. His century in pre-season indicated that things were starting to fall into place, but his maturation is what has impressed us most. Rather than sulking about a tough West Indies tour, he totally revamped his preparation and he now focusing on physical and mental conditioning. That is an amazing thing for a 19-year-old, and that type of mindset will transform potential into performance.
While saunas and meditation sound like advice that belongs on a health and wellness site, for Sam Konstas, they are included in his cricket survival kit. Sam is realizing that competing at the elite level is less about ability and skill and more about resilience, clarity, and embracing the conditions on and off the stage of play.
FAQs
- Why is Sam Konstas using saunas in his training?
He uses saunas to simulate the extreme heat he’ll face during the Australia A tour in India.
- How does meditation help Konstas as a cricketer?
Meditation helps him stay calm, focused, and block out distractions during high-pressure situations.
- What did Konstas learn from his West Indies tour struggles?
He learned the importance of adapting his methods to score runs in tough conditions.
