Sam Konstas starts summer with statement century as Ashes shootout looms

It might be a world away from the first Test in Perth, but Sam Konstas has come out swinging as he fights for his Ashes place.

In the quiet surrounds of Cricket Central at Silverwater on Monday, Konstas smashed a power-laden 109 which included six sixes, but not before the foundation was set with a watchful period seeing off a first-class attack bowling with a red ball that was doing plenty early on.

In a NSW City versus NSW Country fixture, Hurstville boy Konstas was thrust into open for the Country team because he was only going to be available for day one due to commercial and broadcasting commitments with the Australian squad this week in Brisbane.

But it served the 19-year-old well because it pitted him against City’s all-Sheffield Shield bowling attack of Sean Abbott, Jack Edwards, Liam Hatcher, Ryan Hadley and Tanveer Sangha.

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Country were in all sorts of strife at 6-60 early, but Konstas weathered that storm before opening his shoulders and blasting nine boundaries and a further 36 runs in sixes to lift the Country side to a total of 265.

After getting no time in the middle at all in the West Indies, it was a golden opportunity for Konstas to face quality bowling in a match situation and observers felt he looked the best he has in a long time.

The ball was nipping around with the morning moisture, but Konstas defended and left solidly, something he struggled with against the Windies’ rampant quicks.

Australian selectors will be happy to see that, but also that he is still looking to play his shots, with his 109 off 156 balls exhibiting the type of positivity which would offset the steadier approaches of Australian opener Usman Khawaja and first drop Cameron Green.

Konstas was ultimately run out, but the innings was the confidence boosting knock he needed to rebound from his Windies disappointment and suggested the hard work he’s been putting into tweaking his technique in the nets is already bearing fruit.

In the next week or so Konstas will be flying to India with Australia A to take on India A in two four-day matches.

Many critics believe Konstas may have played his way out of the Australian opening spot with the way he battled in the West Indies, but that’s not to say he can’t win the spot back again if he makes a storming start to the season with Australia A and then NSW in the Sheffield Shield.

Australian selectors have effectively declared a shootout will take place for the up for grabs opening spot to be Khawaja’s partner for the Ashes – and runs and form in the early rounds of the Shield will dictate who wins the race.

Support is growing for Tasmanian Jake Weatherald who topped last summer’s Shield run-scoring list and has also performed for Australia A.

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