Marnus Labuschagne surged into prime position for an Ashes recall with his second century in three innings, but Sam Kontas completed a horror trip to Perth when he was out cheaply for NSW a second time against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
After being pinned lbw by Joel Paris’ stock inswinger on day one, Konstas walked out to bat on Monday as the Blues tried to build on a narrow first-innings lead in a low-scoring game.
Sam Konstas was out for just 14 in NSW’s second innings.Credit: Getty Images
He would have been aware that Labuschagne, who lost his Test spot to Konstas in the Caribbean earlier in the year, had already passed three figures for Queensland against Tasmania in Brisbane. He needed a score of some note to keep himself in the selectors’ conversation.
A couple of early boundaries helped Konstas get away to 14 from as many balls, but he then drove loosely at a length ball from the-right arm seamer Matthew Kelly and sliced a catch to Ashton Agar at point.
Fellow opener Blake Nikitaras was out soon afterwards, before Test all-rounder Cameron Green took a trademark, flying catch in the gully to get rid of Kurtis Patterson. NSW limped to 6-86, an overall lead of 95, approaching tea on day three.
Western Australia’s Cam Green takes a spectacular catch in the gully to dismiss NSW’s Kurits Paterson in the opening game of the Sheffield Shield 2025-26 season.Credit: Cricket Australia
The visitors got a bizarre reprieve in the afternoon session when Chris Green was initially given out caught behind by umpire Gerald Abood, before the decision was reversed. Green had been extremely reluctant to go, indicating the ball had come solely off his helmet, and Abood ultimately agreed.
WA’s players accepted the turn of events with little rancour, and were rewarded soon afterwards when Green toe-ended another short ball from Kelly into the slips cordon.
Konstas had walked off the WACA Ground with his head bowed, appearing to sense that the battle for the Test top six had swung measurably this Monday afternoon.
