Sam Konstas is kind of a personality. On his maiden go to to India, the 19-year-old opener stayed true to his unorthodox methods, trying a reverse scoop off simply his fifth supply — within the opening over itself. Quick ahead two hours, and he was charging down the observe to off-spinner Tanush Kotian and launching him over long-on. Earlier than the ball had even landed and the umpire signalled six, Konstas had his helmet off and arms raised, celebrating a century off simply 122 balls.
Konstas’ adventurous 109, in tandem with opening accomplice Campbell Kellaway’s fluent 88 (97 balls), gave Australia-A the proper launchpad on a roller-coaster opening day of the primary unofficial Check in opposition to India-A on the Ekana Cricket Stadium right here on Tuesday.
The guests have been cruising at 198 with out loss after the primary session earlier than India-A lastly broke via. Kellaway, who had been the extra assured of the 2 openers, missed out on a century when he miscued a pull off the very first ball after Tea in opposition to pacer Gurnoor Brar.
AS IT HAPPENED – India A vs Australia A HIGHLIGHTS
That wicket sparked a mini-collapse as left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey dismissed captain Nathan McSweeney leg earlier than after which bowled Konstas when the centurion missed a slog sweep. Khaleel Ahmed compounded the slide by trapping Oliver Peake in entrance, leaving Australia immediately wobbling at 224 for 4 after dropping 4 wickets for 26 runs in simply 62 balls.
But, the guests refused to retreat. Cooper Connolly countered with drives, flicks, and pulls, whereas Liam Scott was extra adventurous, taking the aerial route in opposition to Dubey. Connolly smashed 12 fours and a six enroute his 70 off 84 deliveries earlier than he fell 5 minutes earlier than the Stumps, caught at first slip, trying to lower a supply that wasn’t meant to be in opposition to Dubey. Their counter-attacking 109-run partnership ensured Australia-A regained management heading into the Stumps at 337 for 5.
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Earlier, play started late after in a single day rain left the outfield damp. However as soon as underway, Australia opted to bat. Konstas, regardless of that audacious try, wanted time to settle, whereas Kellaway took the lead. The left-hander was orthodox in method, enjoying with smooth fingers, driving easily, and utilizing his toes successfully in opposition to the spinners. He introduced up his fifty off simply 53 deliveries and dictated the tempo of the partnership initially.
By then, Konstas had adjusted to the floor. Although he repeatedly tried scoops and reverse scoops — usually mistiming them — he ensured the bowlers couldn’t settle right into a rhythm, advancing down the pitch to disrupt lengths. He reached his fifty in 86 balls however raced to his century within the subsequent 36 balls, smashing three sixes and 10 fours.
India-A captain Shreyas Iyer was proactive, maintaining shut catchers in play all through: slips and a brief leg for the pacers, and quick leg or foolish level for the spinners. However other than that transient post-Tea surge that claimed each openers, the bowlers lacked chew and didn’t maintain stress. Australia, led by the exuberance of Konstas and Connolly, and the composure of Kellaway, ended the day on high.
Printed on Sep 16, 2025