Sam Konstas, the recently dropped Australia opener, has rekindled his batting form by scoring a crucial century for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield. The 20-year-old played a pivotal role in the Blues’ match against Queensland at the Sydney Cricket Ground, achieving a significant milestone just before the tea break on the opening day. This century marks Konstas’ fourth in first-class cricket and his first in the Shield since he showcased exceptional performance with twin centuries against South Australia in October 2024, which earned him a spot in Australia’s national team.
Konstas’ recent successes include a century for Australia A against India A in September, although that performance came on a relatively easy pitch in Lucknow, where only 13 wickets fell over four days. After an impressive start to his international career last summer during the series against India, Konstas faced challenges during a subsequent tour of the Caribbean. His performance in three Tests against West Indies was disappointing, as he managed only 50 runs at a dismal average of 8.33, resulting in his exclusion from the Ashes squad.
In the match against Queensland, Konstas finished the tea break with an unbeaten score of 107, supported by fellow former Australian player Kurtis Patterson, who was not out at 49. Together, they helped NSW reach 221 runs for the loss of just one wicket before the break.
Looking ahead, Konstas will need to continue amassing runs to be considered for future Australian selections, especially with current opening batsmen Jake Weatherald and Travis Head establishing their partnership in the Perth match. Queensland, who sits second in the tournament standings, is currently without key fast bowlers Michael Neser, who is representing Australia, and Xavier Bartlett, who is with Australia A. In contrast, Konstas’ opening partner, Matthew Gilkes, contributed a solid 55 before being dismissed by seasoned Queensland bowler Gurinder Sandhu.
