Two of Australias’ forgotten stars Sam Konstas and Jhye Richardson have starred for NSW and Australia A respectively to put their hands up for future recalls.
Konstas blasted nine fours and a six in a masterful century for NSW in their Sheffield Shield clash with the Queensland Bulls at the SCG.
NSW won the toss and elected to bat on day one of the Shield clash with arch rivals the Bulls, with Konstas sharing a 112 run opening stand with Matthew Gilkes.
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Gurinder Sandhu eventually broke the partnership with Gilkes caught by Tom Straker for 55 from 82 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
Another former Australian player Kurtis Patterson then put on 130 runs with Konstas before he was caught behind by Jimmy Peirson off Straker for 63 off 106 balls, including seven boundaries.
Konstas compiled a brilliant 116 from 185 balls, before he was caught and bowled by Tom Whitney as NSW were for 3 for 259 in the final session.
“It was very rewarding,” Konstas told reporters on Friday.
“Especially the last few weeks, had it a bit tough here, but been working really hard as a group and got great support from our coaches.
“I’ve been training really hard with ‘Shippy’ (NSW coach Greg Shipperd), my mentor Shane Watson, and just having clarity and continuing to learn my game.
“It’s been a great learning curve at my age. I’m very lucky to have great support in my inner group.”
Konstas was overlooked for the Ashes squad, despite being an incumbent opener after a disastrous tour of the West Indies earlier this year.
The mercurial talent played five Tests for Australia since his debut against India where he smashed 60 and put Jasprit Bumrah to all parts to announce himself as a potential future star.
Sam Konstas struck a ton for NSW against Queensland on day one of their Shield clash.Source: Getty Images
However, he made just 163 runs in 10 innings at an average of 16.30, with just one half century and was deemed not ready for an Ashes onslaught from England’s pace attack, after the West Indies made light work of him.
Konstas has a habit of scoring tons and that is his way back to a Test recall in the future as Usman Khawaja’s retirement looms.
“Everyone has their opinions, but I’m just grateful to be playing cricket, and that’s what I love doing,” Konstas added.
“Hopefully I can put in good performances for the teams that I’m playing in.”
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Meanwhile Richardson ran through England Lions with brilliant figures of 4 for 35 from 12 overs, including three maidens at 2.92.
Australian one day bowler Xavier Bartlett chipped in with 2 for 48, while former Australian Test spinner Todd Murphy picked up 2 for 7 and Beau Webster and Fergus O’Neill one each as England Lions were all out for 166.
Jhye Richardson took four wickets.Source: AFP
Lions opener Tom Haines top scored for the visitors with 31, in a poor showing in their tour match at Allan Border Field.
In reply Australia A were 2/155 at stumps, with Nathan McSweeney (40) and Cooper Connolly (32) to resume the day’s play tomorrow at the crease.
Rising star Campbell Kellaway posted an impressive 71 from only 75 balls.
The last of Richardson’s three Tests for Australia came way back in 2021 against England before a wretched run of injuries curtailed his promising international career.
The 29-year-old has taken 11 wickets at 22.09 in six innings for Australia with best figures of 5 for 42.
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In other matches the Tasmanian Tigers were bowled out for 195 after winning the toss and batting against South Australia at Adelaide Oval.
Ruwantha Kellapotha topscored with 50 from 104 balls, while Jake Doran chipped in with 44.
South Australian seamer Jordan Buckingham took 4 for 49 for the hosts with the ball before they ended the day 3/116 in their first batting innings.
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And Victoria were bowled out for 255 in their first innings in reply to Western Australia’s total of 194 on day two of their Shield match at the MCG.
Opener Blake Macdonald top scored with 79, including six fours and three sixes, while Matt Short was dismissed for 62 by Cameron Gannon.
Gannon was the pick of the bowlers, taking a five-wicket haul across his 23 overs to finish with figures of 5/47.