Sam Konstas is the talk of the cricket world after becoming the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to score two centuries in a Sheffield Shield game on Thursday. But it wouldn’t have come about if not for an unfortunate mishap from Alex Carey when he was on 0.
Carey scored 90 in the first innings and is desperately trying to retain his place in the Test team ahead of Josh Inglis, who made a brilliant century in Western Australia’s clash with Queensland. And although Carey took a superb catch to dismiss Nic Maddinson, he shelled an absolute sitter when Konstas hadn’t scored yet.
It came back to haunt South Australia as the NSW batter went on to make 105 for back-to-back hundreds after 152 in the first innings. The 19-year-old Konstas became the youngest player since Ponting to record two centuries in the same Shield game.
Ponting achieved the feat as an 18-year-old while playing for Tasmania against Western Australia in the summer of 1992-93. “Obviously very special,” Konstas said of matching Ponting. “But hopefully we get the job done tomorrow and keep doing our basics well.”
Konstas has been touted as a future Test star in the making, with some even suggesting he could be parachuted straight into the team this summer. Cameron Green appears likely to miss the Test matches against India, which could allow Steve Smith to move back to No.4 and see selectors usher in a new opener.
Michael Clarke blown away by Sam Konstas feats
Cameron Bancroft would seemingly be the front-runner, although he made back-to-back ducks for Western Australia. Konstas is an opener, but Michael Clarke reckons it’s still too early for him to be playing Test cricket.
“This kid is a star,” Clarke said on Sky Sports radio. “He’s been successful at junior level, he’s got all the shots, he’s got a good technique. Batting at the top of the order in Shield cricket, international cricket, is one of the hardest jobs as a cricketer, and he took it on yesterday.
“It’s a start, it’s baby steps, but keep an eye out for Sam. He’s extremely talented, has a great work ethic and he’s batting in a position where we’re having conversations around who’s the person to replace David Warner.
“I’m not saying Sam is ready to open the batting for Australia right now, but it’s a selector’s job to have a look at the player, the age, the team you’re going into, the opposition, the kid’s technique. All these things come into contention. The fact we’ve got a young superstar making runs at the out of the order…I’m really happy for him.”
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Another option for the Test team would be to keep Smith opening and bring in another all-rounder. The Aussies are said to be hesitant to rely on Mitch Marsh’s bowling too much, which would increase in Green’s absence.
If selectors go down the all-rounder path, Tasmania’s Beau Webster is making an irrepressible case. Webster made 113 from 183 balls on Thursday to send a timely reminder about his capabilities. While Aaron Hardie has long been touted as a Test player of the future, Webster is the reigning Sheffield Shield player of the season and an in-form option.
with AAP
