Konstas tons up; Richardson rolls England as forgotten Aussie stars shine — Shield/Aus A Wrap
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.
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.
However, 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.
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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 for Australia A against the England Lions.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 1 for 44 with Campbell Kellaway (31) and Nathan McSweeney (4) not out, with Matthew Renshaw caught off Josh Hull’s bowling for 8.
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 8-153 after winning the toss and batting against South Australia at Adelaide Oval.
Jake Doran top scored for Tasmania with 44, while Jordan Buckingham took 4 for 49 for the hosts with the ball.
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And Victoria were 6 for 243 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 is unbeaten on 56, while Cameron Gannon was the pick of the WA bowlers with 2 for 37.
