constantine's reputation continued to grow. an innings for shannon in 1921 against renowned fast bowler george john received great local publicity, but according to the cricket writer and social historian c. l. r. james, this was the only time prior to 1928 that constantine played in such an effective way. constantine's father, still a formidable player, did not put himself forward for selection into the trinidad team in 1921, in the hope that his son would replace him. the white captain of the trinidad team, major bertie harragin, recognised the younger constantine's promise, and selected him to play in trinidad's inter-colonial tournament match against british guiana. unfortunately, constantine arrived late after a newspaper advertised the wrong starting time, and did not play. however, he made his first-class debut in the following match, the final of the tournament, against barbados on 21 september 1921. he scored a duck in his first innings, batting at number eight in the batting order. after taking two wickets at a cost of 44 runs in barbados' only innings, he scored 24 in his second innings, batting at number three.