Australia’s young batter Sam Konstas has had a topsy-turvy career so far. Konstas stunned Jasprit Bumrah on Test debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with his T20-like strokeplay, scored a fifty. Then, he became centrestage of controversy. He didn’t feature on Sri Lanka tour, the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa. Then, he had a horror run on the Caribbean tour. Months later, with Ashes spot in doubt, Konstas stuck to his attacking game and scored a century in the first multi-day game between Australia A and India A.
Konstas, Kellaway score at brisk rate
Against the likes of Prasidh Krishna, left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed, off-spinner Tanush Kotian, Konstas did not hold back as he attempted reverse-sweeps, sweeps at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Day 1 of the first unofficial Test on September 15.
After rain delayed the start, Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney won the toss and opted to bat first. Konstas and Campbell Kellaway dominated the proceedings. They were not afraid to take the aerial route. While Iyer backed his bowlers with attacking field, Konstas and Kellaway took advantage of it. They reached their respective fifties with ODI-like strike rate. Kellaway took 53 balls to get to his fifty.
In the second session, Konstas got to his century from 122 balls with a six over long against spinner Kotian who replaced a retired Ravichandran Ashwin in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. At tea break, Australia were 198 for no loss from 37 overs.
Wickets fall after tea break
Rain played spoilsport again, delaying the start of second session. Soon, Gurnoor Brar got the breakthrough with Kellaway's wicket. He was caught by Kotian in the deep. Campbell departed for 88 off 97 balls, featuring 10 fours and two sixes. McSweeney did not last long at the crease and got out lbw to Harsh Dubey. He departed after scoring just one run. Dubey got rid of Konstas as well. The opener went for a slog sweep and got bowled. His knock of 109 runs from 144 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.
Khaleel returned to the bowling attack and dismissed Oliver Peake about lbw for a single-digit score. From 198 for no loss, Australia A lost four wickets for 224.