IND A vs AUS A: Sam Konstas smashes a century on day one at the Ekana Stadium

Teenager Sam Konstas made the most of his first outing on Indian soil with a fine century against India ‘A’ on Day One of the first four-day match at the Ekana Stadium here on Tuesday.

After the start was delayed till the lunch interval due to overnight rain, Konstas, 19, shone on a cloudy day to collect a well-compiled 109, his third first-class century, and first outside Australia.

Despite only 73 overs being bowled, the visitors batted positively to end the day at 337-5. The Indian bowling, led by pacers Arshdeep Singh and Khaleed Ahmed, struggled in the first session before left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey (3-88) fought back.

However, Konstas (109 in 144 balls, 10×4, 3×6) put on a quickfire 198 with fellow opener Campbell Kellaway (88 in 97 balls, 10×4, 2×6). Konstas got to his first 50 off 86 balls, but needed just 36 more to race to his century. He completed his ton by hammering off-spinner Tanush Kotian for a straight six. He fell while trying to hit Dubey over square-leg, missing the line of the delivery.

Clearly, the Australia ‘A’ team management are focusing on Konstas, who, after a fairly promising home Test debut against India in January (he made 60 and 8 at Melbourne, and 23 and 22 at Sydney), failed miserably in the three-match Test series in the Caribbean, aggregating just 50 runs in six innings.

With Australia hosting the Ashes this year, they desperately need a stable opener to partner Usman Khawaja.