Brisbane Heat batsman Hugh Weibgen reveals unseen side of Sam Konstas

“He’s one of the hardest workers out there. Of course, it comes at a cost, he’s human, but he has really good mental processes.”

“I know he’s got a good team around him too, he’s got a good family and he’s got Shane Watson and a few other batsmen he’s been talking to.”

Weibgen will one day be in the squad that will lead Australia’s top flight, with fellow Queenslanders Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith nearing the end of their careers.

While 11 of the under-19 squad under Weibgen reached the professional domestic stage, Harjas Singh earned a call-up to the Sydney Sixers after his clinical 314 from just 141 balls in grade cricket.

Paceman Mahli Beardman has been included in Australia’s one-day squad, while Callum Vidler has been identified as the future leader of the bowling attack, but a back problem has sidelined him this season.

“We were lucky enough that we were all very good friends. We had to go on a few tours before the World Cup,” said Weibgen, who was chosen as captain of the team of the tournament at the World Cup.

“It would be pretty nice for the 19s to get there, obviously that’s everybody’s aim. For me, I’m just trying to keep my place in the Queensland side.”

“I would love to play for Australia one day on the track but it will take a lot of work and I have a lot to work on.”

The Australian selectors’ desire to pick players who deserve the trophy could hold Weibgen back for the foreseeable future.

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But even though his career has only just begun, he has already shown match-winning traits similar to those that make Smith a modern-day great.

Such was the impact of Weibgen’s short tenure; It led Heat teammate Jimmy Peirson to declare that he was “wise beyond his years” and a “future captain.”

In the second one-day match against Queensland, Weibgen salvaged victory from scratch as he scored 115 off just 94 deliveries, defeating the Bulls 4-38 as they chased down Western Australia’s 321.

He said those innings made him feel like he “belonged” because of the close relationship he developed over five years with Khawaja, who was already trying to feed off the influence he received from David Warner while with the Thunder.

“Uzzie plays for the same club as me at the Valleys, he’s actually played pretty well the last couple of years so I’ve had the opportunity to play with him a bit,” Weibgen said.

“I’ve had a close relationship with him ever since. The main advice he gave me was ‘you do it’. He always said that. It’s big on being confident and going out there and playing to your strengths.”

“He’s been one of Australia’s best batsmen for a long time and just a year or two ago he was one of the best batsmen in the world.”

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