Sam Konstas Hits 173 While Past Haunts Australian Cricket
Sam Konstas made 173 for NSW against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, his second century in four matches. Runs came across the country as young batsmen pushed Test claims, while the team's recent selection calls drew scrutiny.
Sam Konstas made 173 for NSW against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield at Cricket Central in Sydney's Olympic Park, while past selection decisions haunt Australian cricket and a crop of young batsmen press their Test claims.
It was Konstas's second century in four matches. He walked out on day three with a hundred already behind him and set about stretching the Blues' lead.
Runs across the country
Konstas shared a second-wicket stand of 117 with Kurtis Patterson, who made 43 from 88 balls. Patterson averages 144 in Test cricket from two matches, and both men are in the frame for a Test recall.
South Australia's Jake Weatherald, a six-Test opener who was dumped, had earlier cracked 142 in his side's first innings. He scored quickly.
At the MCG, Victoria's Peter Handscomb, a former Test batsman, ground out 169 from 323 balls. Blake Macdonald added 116. Western Australian left-hander Corey Wasley, part of the 2024 under-19 World Cup team, finished on 179 not out from 337 deliveries.
At the Gabba, Marnus Labuschagne made 12 against Tasmania after an unbalanced, careless drive. Queensland's younger players did better: Jack Clayton scored 52, Hugh Weibgen 89 and Hugo Burdon 70, all former Australian under-19 representatives.
Pitches and selection
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has suggested match surfaces should be a little less like the front lawn and a bit more like the concrete path to the clothesline. Spinners are still not getting many overs, though.
Nic Maddinson, summoned to open in the South African series, is batting in the middle order with modest returns since his return to state cricket. Oliver Davies has replaced him against the new ball.
Batting form had been poor for a couple of years as pitches favored seam bowling. Selectors also persisted with failing incumbents and confused white-ball potential with red-ball performance.
The Connolly case
Cooper Connolly is a case in point. His first Test was his fourth first-class game. He had never made a century, but he scored 90 on first-class debut.
In South Africa he sat on the bench instead of playing the early Shield games at home, collecting net time when he needed match time. He made 29 and nought in Cape Town.
Connolly now faces three weeks of white-ball cricket and will again miss Shield experience. The young batsmen above are edging ahead of him in the Test pecking order while spots are up for grabs.
Rugby league coach Jack Gibson had a saying that fits: "potential never won nothing."
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