Cricket

Teenage prodigy Sam Konstas has announced his arrival on the big stage with a stunning century for New South Wales against South Australia in Sydney. The 19-year-old opener struck 152 runs on day one of the Blues' Sheffield Shield season opener, showcasing his immense talent and potential.Konstas, who was a key member of Australia's U19 World Cup-winning team last year, has long been touted as one of the country's brightest young prospects. And he lived up to the hype on Tuesday, displaying a maturity and composure beyond his years.The right-hander cover-drove superbly throughout his innings, and took to spinner Ben Manenti by hitting him down the ground for three sixes. He brought up his century off his 163rd ball in the final over of the second session, nudging Brendan Doggett down to backward-square for a single.Konstas' first Sheffield Shield ton came with Australia's chief selector George Bailey in attendance. While the youngster is not yet in the conversation for the Test opening spot, good judges expect him to one day figure.Konstas made his Shield debut for NSW last summer, and amid glimpses of promise he brought up a maiden half-century in the last round against Queensland. But he looks a far more accomplished and confident batter this summer.He used his feet well to spin, and swept Nathan McSweeney for a big six before offering up his only chance with a missed stumping by Alex Carey. The youngster then brought up 150 by flat-batting a Lloyd Pope full toss over the legside. He was eventually caught at slip off the legspinner, when adjudged to have inside-edged a ball onto Carey's legs before it was caught by McSweeney."It was an amazing achievement. Obviously, it's good to get my first one," Konstas said. "I just have to be hungry for runs. And whatever teams I make, it's a bonus."With Shane Watson as his mentor, Konstas is a regular meditator before games and rushes to the wicket at the start of his innings."A big thing [I learned from last summer] was my mental stuff, just keeping simple plans and how can I do it for longer?" Konstas said. "I try to be calm.""I did [meditate] this morning, and then I was trying to do that on the field. Just breathing and using it to switch me on and off.""It worked today."Konstas' runs came as wickets fell around him under heavy cloud cover and light drizzle. Moises Henriques (five) and Matthew Gilkes (10) both fell to loose shots outside off stump, while Nic Maddinson was caught charging Manenti on 12.Oliver Davies provided some brief fireworks before being bowled by Jordan Buckingham for 37, while Josh Philippe hit 56 in his first Shield game for the Blues. Philippe was eventually stumped off Pope, as the South Australia spinner finished the day with 3 for 61 and NSW suffered a collapse of 3 for 17. Umpires called off play shortly after due to bad light, infuriating visiting captain McSweeney given he had kept his spinners bowling.

Victoria's Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb have showcased their batting prowess with twin centuries against Tasmania on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield season. Harris, with 143 runs, and Handscomb, with 129 runs, put together a formidable 239-run partnership, propelling Victoria to a strong position of 330 for 7 at stumps.Harris, known for his affinity with the Junction Oval, displayed his class with a fluent innings, driving and cutting the ball with precision. Handscomb, continuing his impressive form from the county championship, provided a steady presence, allowing Harris to flourish.However, Tasmania's bowlers fought back late in the day, with Gabe Bell claiming three wickets, including Harris' dismissal. Beau Webster and Brad Hope also contributed with wickets, leaving the game evenly poised.Harris' century serves as a timely reminder of his Test credentials, with Cameron Green's availability for the upcoming series against India uncertain. Handscomb, while less likely to be considered for the Test series, has strengthened his case for a spot on the tour of Sri Lanka in January-February.The match highlights the depth of batting talent in Australia, with both Harris and Handscomb demonstrating their ability to score big runs in challenging conditions. As the Sheffield Shield season progresses, the competition for Test selection will intensify, and these performances will undoubtedly be closely monitored by the national selectors.

The Sheffield Shield, Australia's premier domestic cricket competition, kicks off its new season on October 8 with Western Australia aiming to make history. No team has won four consecutive Shields since the competition expanded to six teams in 1977-78.New South Wales:NSW, under captain Moises Henriques, has made significant off-season signings with Nic Maddinson and Josh Philippe joining the squad. They will look to improve on last season's third-place finish, relying on a potent new-ball attack featuring Chris Tremain and Jackson Bird.Queensland:Queensland, led by Marnus Labuschagne, has a new coach in Johan Botha and a new captain in Labuschagne. They will aim to improve on last season's dismal performance, with a focus on settling a young middle-order.South Australia:South Australia, under captain Nathan McSweeney, has undergone leadership changes and recruited Jason Sangha from NSW. They will look to address their batting woes and rely on a strong fast-bowling attack.Tasmania:Tasmania, last season's finalists, will be bolstered by the addition of Test spinner Matt Kuhnemann. They will aim to build on their success, with a balanced attack and a solid batting lineup led by Beau Webster.Victoria:Victoria, under captain Will Sutherland, will look to bounce back from last season's disappointing finish. They have a similar group to last year, with a well-balanced attack and experienced batters.Western Australia:Defending champions Western Australia, led by Sam Whiteman, will face their toughest challenge yet. They have an international-standard team but will need to rely on their depth due to injuries and international departures.Australia Impact:The Shield season will be impacted by Australia's Test series against India, with several players expected to miss games. NSW, Queensland, and Victoria will be particularly affected, with the likes of Nathan Lyon, Marnus Labuschagne, and Scott Boland likely to be unavailable at times.

Victoria captain Will Sutherland has confirmed that star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will be available for a limited number of Sheffield Shield matches early in the upcoming season. Maxwell, who turns 36 in October, is currently in England with Australia's ODI team and has not played a Shield match for Victoria since February 2023.Maxwell's availability is a boost for Victoria, who are keen to have him play some red-ball cricket before Australia's Test tour to Sri Lanka in January and February next year. Maxwell was part of the Sri Lanka tour in 2022 and nearly played the first Test in Galle, with his ability as a spin-bowling allrounder seen as an asset in spinning conditions.However, Maxwell's availability will be limited due to his commitments to Australia's ODI and T20I series against Pakistan in November. He will also be unavailable for the first Shield game of the summer against Tasmania as he slowly builds up off a knee issue.Victoria are also unlikely to have Australia fast bowler Scott Boland available for the first Shield game, but he is set to be unleashed in the game against NSW at the MCG. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Steven Smith are all a chance to play for the Blues in that match.Sutherland himself will be on bowling restrictions during the start of the Shield season coming off a stress fracture in his back. He bowled six overs and made 36 not out in Victoria's opening One-Day Cup win over Tasmania on Monday in Melbourne and will bowl again in Friday's One-Day Cup game against Queensland.One man who won't be part of Victoria's Shield team at the start of the season is Will Pucovski. The one-Test opener has not been training with the group and is set to finish his playing career after a medical panel advised he not continue due to the repeated concussions that he has suffered.

Derbyshire County Cricket Club has secured the services of Australian opening batter Caleb Jewell as one of their overseas players for the 2025 season. The 27-year-old left-hander has represented Australia A and is expected to play across all formats for Derbyshire.Jewell boasts an impressive first-class average of 31.47, having played a pivotal role in Tasmania's run to the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield final. Earlier in the season, he notched up a career-best 227 against Western Australia. He also features for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.Derbyshire's head of cricket, Mickey Arthur, expressed his admiration for Jewell's abilities: "Caleb is a player I've been monitoring for some time, and everyone I've spoken to has praised his talent. George Bailey and Ian Bell, in particular, have spoken highly of his capabilities."Arthur emphasized the need for reinforcements in Derbyshire's batting lineup: "We've identified the need to strengthen our batting across all formats, and having Caleb with us for the entire season will provide the consistency we require. He will bring a gritty presence to the top of the order."Despite not yet earning a senior cap for Australia, Jewell has emerged as a potential successor to David Warner and Usman Khawaja at the top of the Test order, having impressed with scores of 66, 78, and 131 for the A team in 2023.Jewell expressed his excitement about joining Derbyshire: "I'm eager to experience county cricket with Derbyshire, showcase my abilities in all formats, and contribute to the club's success. Many Australian players have made their mark in England, and I aspire to follow in their footsteps. I'm thrilled to work with the coaching staff at Derbyshire, enhance my game, and play alongside the talented squad."Derbyshire's current season in the County Championship has been challenging, with the club likely to finish at the bottom of Division Two. However, they came close to reaching the knockout stages in both white-ball competitions.Jewell's signing marks Derbyshire's second acquisition ahead of the 2025 summer, following the addition of Middlesex allrounder Martin Andersson on a two-year contract.

Queensland cricket has undergone a significant leadership shake-up, with legspinner Mitchell Swepson appointed as the official vice-captain. Swepson will lead the side in both the One-Day Cup and the Sheffield Shield when captain Marnus Labuschagne is absent on international duty.The decision to elevate Swepson to the leadership role is part of a broader restructuring under new coach Johan Botha and high performance manager Joe Dawes. Labuschagne was named permanent captain in all forms, replacing Usman Khawaja, despite his limited availability due to his commitments to the Australian Test and ODI teams.Swepson's elevation comes after he led the side in several pre-season games. Botha praised Swepson's leadership qualities, noting that the group "really would play for them and like what they see."Swepson will make his captaincy debut in Queensland's opening One-Day match against Tasmania on Wednesday. He will also lead the side against Victoria on Friday. Usman Khawaja will miss the match against Tasmania but will play against Victoria.Swepson has been Queensland's first-choice Shield spinner for years, but he has limited experience in the shorter format. However, Botha believes that Swepson's challenge as a spin bowling captain will come in Shield cricket rather than the shorter format."I think in One-Day cricket it's easier to captain as a spinner, because the game sort of tells you when to bowl," Botha said. "But in four-day cricket is he going to be brave enough to bowl the 17th over of the Shield game on day one. But that's what we'll keep, sort of pushing him towards to get himself into the game."Swepson is pushing for a place on Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka in late January. He played the last of his four Tests in Sri Lanka in 2022 but missed out on selection during last year's tour of India.Botha has been impressed with Swepson's bowling during his first pre-season in charge of the Bulls. The coach is hoping to use Swepson more aggressively this year, even in seam-friendly conditions at the Gabba."I've been really impressed with him," Botha said. "His control for a legspinner has been excellent, and you can see why he has played Test cricket in the past. He got 30 wickets last year. So we're hoping for more of that this summer, and I think in our team we certainly want to use the spinners more and better and earlier in games."

Usman Khawaja, the Australian Test opener, will return to his familiar opening position for Queensland in the upcoming Sheffield Shield season. This move is part of a strategic shift by new Bulls coach Johan Botha to stabilize the team's middle order after a disappointing campaign last summer.Despite being the Test opener, Khawaja had batted at No. 4 in his last eight Shield games. However, Botha believes that having Khawaja open will provide stability to the Bulls' batting lineup, especially with the departure of Test players Marnus Labuschagne and Khawaja himself after the first three Shield rounds.Jack Clayton, who emerged as Queensland's leading run-scorer last season, is expected to settle at No. 4, benefiting from the stability provided by Khawaja's move to the top of the order. Botha praised Khawaja for his willingness to adjust his position for the team's benefit.On the bowling front, Michael Neser is expected to be available for the start of the season after recovering from a calf injury. His return is a boost for the Bulls, who have been concerned about their fast bowling depth ahead of the India series.However, Xavier Bartlett is expected to miss at least the first month of the season due to a side strain. This injury adds to Australia's fast bowling woes, with Scott Boland managing a knee complaint and Lance Morris returning slowly from a stress fracture.Despite these injury concerns, Botha is confident in the Bulls' ability to perform well this season. He believes that the stability provided by Khawaja's move to the top of the order and the return of Neser will be key factors in their success.

Lance Morris, Australia's emerging fast bowler, has endured a frustrating rehabilitation from a recurring back injury. Despite the setbacks, Morris remains optimistic about his return to action, targeting the Sheffield Shield ahead of the Test series against India.Morris's injury woes began during the ODI series against West Indies in February, where he suffered a side strain that ended his season. Subsequent scans revealed a hot spot in his back, ruling him out of Australia's tour of Scotland and England.The injury is a recurrence of the stress fracture that sidelined Morris during the 2023 Ashes tour. Morris admits the situation has been frustrating, especially given the lack of back pain while bowling. However, regular MRI check-ins have shown positive signs of healing.Despite being unable to bowl for eight weeks, Morris maintained his fitness through running and gym work. He acknowledges the importance of a cautious approach to avoid a prolonged absence.Morris's return to competitive cricket will begin with Australia's domestic 50-over competition later this month. He aims to gradually build up his bowling loads before making his red-ball comeback in the Sheffield Shield.Western Australia, the three-time defending Shield champions, start their season against Queensland on October 8. Morris hopes to be available for the first or second round of the competition.With concerns over Australia's pace depth behind Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, a strong performance in the Shield could propel Morris into the Test mix. However, he remains realistic about his chances.Meanwhile, WA left-arm quick Liam Haskett will miss the first half of the Sheffield Shield season due to a stress fracture in his back. The injury is a recurrence of one he suffered a few years ago.

Nic Maddinson, a former Australian Test cricketer, is determined to make a comeback to the national team after a strong finish to the Sheffield Shield season with New South Wales. Maddinson, who returned to his home state after six seasons with Victoria, scored three centuries in three Shield matches last season, showcasing his improved batting skills.Maddinson's performances have reignited his Test aspirations, as he believes he is a significantly better player than he was during his previous Test appearances in 2016-17. He acknowledges that the competition for Test selection is fierce, but he remains motivated to represent Australia once again.In addition to his Test ambitions, Maddinson is also eager to revive his T20 career after a disappointing season with the Melbourne Renegades. He hopes to find a consistent role with the Sydney Thunder, where he could potentially open the batting alongside David Warner.Maddinson's return to form has been attributed to his ability to adapt his batting style and overcome technical challenges. He believes that his experience in longer-form cricket has benefited his T20 game, and he is confident that he can make a significant contribution to the Thunder.The Thunder's top order, which includes Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Ollie Davies, and Sam Billings, is expected to be a formidable force in the upcoming BBL season. Maddinson is excited about the prospect of playing alongside such talented batsmen and contributing to the team's success.