Konstas finds form with century for New South Wales
Discarded Australia opener Sam Konstas has ended a 14-month drought without a Sheffield Shield hundred, making 116 against Queensland at the SCG
AAP
05-Dec-2025 • 7 hrs ago
Sam Konstas made his first century of the season • Getty Images
New South Wales 313 for 4 (Konstas 116, Patterson 63, Gilkes 55) vs Queensland
Axed Australia opener Sam Konstas found form, scoring a confidence-boosting century for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield.
Enduring a difficult period after his incredible Test debut last Boxing Day, the 20-year-old reached three figures just before tea on day one of NSW's match against Queensland at the SCG on Friday.
It was his fourth first-class ton, and his first in the Shield since making twin centuries against South Australia in October 2024, before forcing his way into Australia's XI.
Konstas and fellow former Australia batter Kurtis Patterson helped NSW motor to the tea break at 221 for 1 after Konstas' opening partner, Matthew Gilkes, was dismissed for 55 by Gurinder Sandhu.
Konstas (116) and Patterson (63) fell within three overs of each other early in the final session. But NSW were able to steady again, completing an excellent opening day by reaching 313 for 4 at stumps.
Konstas, an aggressive right-hander, made a century for Australia A against India A in September, but that came on a flat pitch in Lucknow, where just 13 wickets fell across four days.
After bursting on to the international stage against India last summer as a teenager, Konstas suffered a disastrous tour of the Caribbean that led to him being dropped for the Ashes. In three Tests against West Indies, Konstas scored just 50 runs at an average of 8.33.
"It was very rewarding," Konstas told reporters after play on Friday. "Especially the last few weeks, had it a bit tough here, but been working really hard as a group and got great support from our coaches.
"I've been training really hard with Shippy [NSW coach Greg Shipperd], my mentor Shane Watson, and just having clarity and continuing to learn my game.
"It's been a great learning curve at my age. I'm very lucky to have great support in my inner group."
He will need to continue piling on runs to be in consideration for an Australian call-up, with Jake Weatherald and Travis Head making a flying start to their new opening combination in Test cricket.
"Everyone has their opinions, but I'm just grateful to be playing cricket, and that's what I love doing," Konstas said. "Hopefully I can put in good performances for the teams that I'm playing in."
Second-placed Queensland are missing key quicks Michael Neser, who is playing his third Test for Australia, and Xavier Bartlett due to Australia A duty.
They are also undermanned in the batting department, with opener Matt Renshaw at Allan Border Field playing for Australia A, Usman Khawaja injured, and Marnus Labuschagne having been recalled to the Test team.
