Sports · Cricket · 7 hrs ago
Sam Konstas strengthens his case for an Australia Test recall
Sam Konstas scored a career-high 173 for New South Wales against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, Australia's domestic first-class competition.
The 21-year-old's innings gave NSW a chance in the match and added to his strong start to the season.
His form comes as Australia considers changes to its Test top order after losing a series 2-1 in South Africa.
Australia has struggled to settle its opening pair, and two top-order places may be available for the next series.
Konstas made his Test debut against India in 2024, scored 60, then was dropped after five Tests.
Other candidates include Matt Renshaw, Nathan McSweeney and Jake Weatherald, who has also scored heavily in the Shield.
Konstas is now among the leading contenders for a recall, though the team has not announced its selections.
Sam Konstas has strengthened his case for a return to Australia’s Test top order with strong Sheffield Shield form for New South Wales.
Wisden reported he scored an unbeaten 109 against South Australia, while ESPNcricinfo’s headline reported a career-high 173 in the match.
The reports give different scores for Konstas’s performance.
The 21-year-old had also scored 71 and 151 not out against Western Australia earlier in the Sheffield Shield season.
Australia’s opening places are unsettled after a 2-1 series defeat in South Africa.
- Who
- Sam Konstas, the New South Wales batter.
- What
- He strengthened his case for an Australia Test recall with strong Sheffield Shield batting. Reports differed on his score against South Australia.
- When
- The reports were published on November 12 and 13, 2026.
- Where
- Central Park, Sydney, according to Wisden.
- Why
- Australia’s top order is unsettled following a 2-1 series defeat in South Africa.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Konstas made his Test debut against India and scored 60.
Konstas was dropped from Australia’s Test side.
Konstas scored 71 and 151 not out against Western Australia in a Sheffield Shield match.
Wisden reported that Konstas scored an unbeaten 109 against South Australia.
ESPNcricinfo reported in its headline that Konstas scored a career-high 173 against South Australia.
- Age
- 21
- Wisden-reported score
- 109 not out off 141 balls
- ESPNcricinfo headline-reported score
- Career-high 173
- Sheffield Shield season
- 2026-27
- South Africa series result
- Australia lost 2-1