Teen batting prodigy Sam Konstas has struck a domestic one-day century for NSW in his bid to be recalled to the Australian XI for the World Test Championship final.
Battling cramps that left him requiring medical assistance, Konstas whacked 116 runs from 98 balls to chalk up his maiden List A ton as NSW met Queensland on Thursday.
The 19-year-old’s innings at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field served as a timely reminder for Australia’s selectors after he was dumped in Sri Lanka last month.
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NSW fell short after being set 311 to win, but Konstas’ innings, which featured 13 fours and three sixes, gave selectors food for thought as Australia closes in on its title-deciding clash with South Africa at Lord’s in June.
The right-hander from Sydney’s south could have easily chopped on numerous times in an innings that was streaky and full of good fortune.
But he also played an array of superb shots, both conventional and unorthodox.
Sam Konstas battles cramps in Brisbane. Getty
On one occasion he pumped leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson for six with a switch hit.
He reached triple figures when he backed away and smoked right-arm quick Callum Vidler for six over point.
Konstas lost his wicket when he took a wild slog at a Gurinder Sandhu delivery that had pitched a long way outside off, skying a catch to Ben McDermott at cover.
Queensland No.5 Lachlan Hearne claimed player of the match after plundering 107 from 91, including five fours and seven sixes.
Queensland bowled NSW out for 256 to secure a 54-run win.
Konstas is expected to travel to England to play county cricket once the Australian season is over.
In the precocious youngster’s next match, he will play for NSW against Victoria at the SCG in a Sheffield Shield game beginning next Tuesday.
Sam Konstas prods the ball to the off-side at Allan Border Field. Getty
He made a scintillating start to his Test career in a knock of 60 from 65 against India on Boxing Day, in an innings that included audacious lap shots against the bowling of the supreme Jasprit Bumrah.
Scores of 8, 23 and 22 followed in the Border-Gavaskar series, before Konstas was dropped in Sri Lanka with selectors deciding to open with Travis Head and play Josh Inglis in the middle order in two Tests in Galle.
It remains to be seen if Konstas will regain his position at the top of the Test order alongside Usman Khawaja for the World Test Championship final, beginning on June 11.
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