Sam Konstas scored an unbeaten 151 off 167 balls for New South Wales against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield on Wednesday, October 21, earning quick plaudits from former Australia opener David Warner, who has urged for the 21-year-old to be reinstated to the Test team and placed at No.3.
Sam Konstas‘ knock at the WACA came at a vital point in the match. New South Wales led by 101 runs in the first innings after recording 440-6, with Sam Konstas contributing 71 off 142 deliveries in a more cautious first inning effort. When the second innings began, NSW was 155-5, prompting Konstas to launch an aggressive counter-attack.
Warner’s endorsement comes as Australia’s top-order batting is under pressure. Marnus Labuschagne presently holds the No.3 position, having averaged 22.80 during 13 Tests since the beginning of 2025, with only two fifties in that time. Nic Maddinson, who has been given the opening role in the ongoing series, has provided only two ducks and scores of 8 and 48 runs in four innings.
How did Sam Konstas build his undefeated 151?
Sam Konstas scored his fifth first-class century in 136 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking steadily from one end. When he reached three figures, he shifted gears quickly, adding the next fifty in just 31 balls. He finished unbeaten on 151, with 15 fours and four sixes for a strike rate of 90.42.
He put on an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 107 runs with Ryan Hicks, who scored 35 not out, before New South Wales declared their second innings. It was also Konstas’ first red-ball hundred in 15 innings, making the timing all the more crucial considering the ongoing national selection deliberations.
Heading into the fourth day of the match, NSW had reduced Western Australia to 30-3 in their second innings, needing seven more wickets to win with 334 runs remaining for the hosts.
What does Sam Konstas ‘ test record look like ahead of a potential recall?
Sam Konstas made a memorable Test debut, blasting Jasprit Bumrah for two fours and a six during his 60-run innings. However, his form slipped dramatically after that, and he finished the series with scores of 8, 23, and 22.
He has played five Tests in total, the most recent in July 2025 against the West Indies. Across those five matches, he averages 16.3 with a single half-century, which resulted to his dismissal from the national team.
Also Read : James Anderson Faces Uncertain Future as Lancashire Reject New Contract
Warner’s recommendation that Konstas return at No.3 rather than opener reflects both the youngster’s recent Shield performance and the overall troubles of Australia’s current top-order hitters. It remains to be seen whether the selectors will take that stance, but Konstas has provided a timely reminder of his ability with this hit at the WACA.
Riya is a dedicated cricket analyst and content contributor with a strong passion for the game. She focuses on match analysis, player performances, team strategies, pitch conditions, and pre-match insights.
Through her work, Riya aims to provide cricket fans with clear, engaging, and easy-to-understand analysis while covering the latest developments and key moments from the world of cricket.
Discussion about this post