In a commanding performance on the opening day of their four-day fixture in Lucknow, nineteen-year-old Australian opener Sam Konstas delivered a superb century, significantly bolstering his case for an Ashes squad spot. His impressive knock of 109 runs from 144 balls, combined with a strong 88 from fellow opener Campbell Kellaway, forged a formidable 198-run partnership that put India ‘A’ bowlers under considerable pressure.
Despite the early Australian dominance, India ‘A’ fought back, primarily through the efforts of left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey. Dubey was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 88. His crucial wickets included the centurion Konstas, captain Nathan McSweeney, and the dangerous Cooper Connolly, helping to stem the flow of runs.
At the close of play on Tuesday, Australia ‘A’ had reached a commanding total of 337 runs for the loss of 5 wickets after 73 overs.
Reflecting on his performance, Konstas shared with TOI, “They bowled really well at the start, but conditions were favorable for batting. I had to overcome quite a few mental challenges, just focusing on getting through and adapting to the pitch. It was great to establish a strong partnership with Kellaway.”
Brief scores: Australia ‘A’ 337/5 (Sam Konstas 109, Campbell Kellaway 88, Cooper Connolly 70; Harsh Dubey 3/88) vs India ‘A’.