Steve Waugh has echoed comments from Ricky Ponting and declared Sam Konstas doesn’t have a future in Test cricket unless he tones down his aggressive approach. And Waugh believes the teenage prodigy needs to “have more respect” for the game in general.

Konstas became an instant sensation when he made 60 in debut for Australia in the Boxing Day Test, rattling Jasprit Bumrah with his unorthodox shot selection. The 19-year-old charged down the pitch and played a number of ramps and reverse-ramps, forcing Bumrah to change the way he’d bowled (to much success) throughout the series.

Konstas batted three more times in the series, but crashed back to earth a fraction when he made 8, 23 and 22. He was overlooked for the recent two-Test series in Sri Lanka due to the fact selectors wanted to move Travis Head to the top of the order, but Konstas is expected to win a recall for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.

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Many were expecting Konstas to return to a more orthodox approach when he turned out for NSW in the Sheffield Shield last week. But he appeared to lose his head when he was bowled by Test teammate Scott Boland for 10 after more ramps and expansive shots in a seven-ball innings.

He made a more measured 17 off 44 balls in the second dig, but back-to-back low scores have sparked questions about his place in the World Test Championship final. There’s plenty of time between now and June, and Konstas will have more games in the Shield before a stint in County Cricket in the UK.

Steve Waugh’s brutal truth bomb for Sam Konstas

But Waugh is convinced he won’t have a long Test career unless he tones things down. Speaking on SEN radio on Friday, the legendary former Test captain said: “It certainly had the desired effect on India and Bumrah…but I just hope he can pull it back a bit now and go back to his normal game, because he can’t survive in Test match cricket playing that way.

“I hope it hasn’t messed with his head because he’s only 19. He’s taken on a big risk the way he’s played and he’s probably suffered for it already. He didn’t really know what he was doing (in the Shield match) with the ramps and charging Scott Boland. You’ve got to have more respect for the game because the game will bite you quickly if you don’t respect it.”

Calls for Sam Konstas to tone down aggressive ways

Waugh echoed comments from Shane Watson and Simon Katich that he knows Konstas can be successful playing more traditionally. “I’ve seen him play grade cricket for Sutherland and he’s technically very correct,” Waugh said. “He’s got to get back to that because if he keeps going the way he is he’s not going to be very successful. It’s not going to work consistently because it’s too high-risk.”

It comes after fellow legend Ricky Ponting said last month: “I don’t think he can survive as an opener if he continues to play like that. I have seen young players getting overawed before making their mark in international cricket. They need a few games or a couple of series to work out on what they need to be successful.”