Sam Konstas’ family celebrates and stresses over her stunning MCG debut on Boxing Day

With ramp shots, attacking slogs and a run-in with Virat Kohli, Australian debutant Sam Konstas played a fearless style of cricket that wowed a huge MCG crowd.

But while Konstas showed no nerves in his 60 from 65 balls, his family sweated with every throw.

The Konstas family traveled from New South Wales to watch their son and brother make his debut on Boxing Day.

Sam’s older brother Billy joined ABC Sport during the lunch break on the first day after his brother was sacked, bringing to an end one of the most entertaining innings in a long time.

“We didn’t have high expectations today, we just wanted to enjoy the experience,” he said.

“It actually feels like we’re all in it with him. This week has been hectic, my parents have been quite nervous and emotional.”

Konstas’ innings got off to a shaky start, with the 19-year-old bowling and missing two reverse-ramp shots.

The opener found his groove and wowed the crowd with six boundaries and two sixes.

It had been a dream come true for the whole family, said Billy, who said Sam had had the ability to dominate the crease during games in the garden as a child.

“Let’s just say I had a sore shoulder and a broken back after bowling against Sam for hours. I guess I’ll take credit for where he is today,” Billy said.

“We are of Greek descent. Not many Greeks play cricket. As kids, we watched the Ashes grow up and then recreated our own series in the backyard. For this to become a reality is incredible.”

“Dad has been throwing balls at Sam since he was five or six years old. Mom was there at every game and made sure he was okay.”

Konstas also had an altercation with Kohli after the Indian superstar shouldered him between overs – a sign that the teenager had unsettled the Indians.

It was a surreal moment for the family too as Sam and his brothers idolized Kohli as a child.

“We used to always try to replicate our shots on Virat…seeing the way (Sam) plays him is unbelievable,” Billy said.

Konstas had Australia’s international number 468 and is the fourth youngest Test player for Australia at 19 years and 85 days.