Campbell Kellaway hits 82 for Prime Minister’s XI in rapid rise through Australian ranks

Campbell Kellaway is making his case for Test cricket the old-fashioned way — through grit, runs and unflappable determination.

Campbell Kellaway could not be drawn into any assertive proclamations about his future.

Emblematic of his determination, Kellaway blocked and left several questions before and after his encouraging 82 for the Prime Minister’s XI at the weekend.

“The rest takes care of itself,” Kellaway often said when asked about the prospect of Test cricket.

The Victorian southpaw has thrust into the Test frame after coming out the other side of what has been a baptism of battles.

His 82 against English Test quicks Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue in Canberra followed the cauldron of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood on a tricky SCG wicket.

Kellaway did what only one Englishman could do against Starc a week later in the first Test, showing enough resolve to make a hardened half-century.

Before that it was Indian frontliner Mohammad Siraj in his home conditions on a highly referenced yet unseen tour.

But, despite the noise of his rise and potential of eventually replacing Usman Khawaja at the top of Australia’s order, Kellaway remains concentrated.

“It’s been about trying to do my best for Victoria the last couple of months, if I’m contributing with runs and winning Shield games, the rest takes care of itself,” he said.

Campbell Kellaway raises the bat for 50. (Source: Saeed Khan)

“That’s been my approach over the last couple of months, trying to put my best foot forward for the Vics and it’s been good to get a few wins on the board early.”

Buried beneath the storyline of Josh Hazlewood’s hamstring in that Shield game against Victoria was Kellaway’s contest with Starc.

Kellaway earned praise after Starc tested the 23-year-old both mentally and physically with a barrage of short balls.

“It was good to face some good ball speed, obviously being challenged with the quality of someone like Starcy and then Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott,” he said.

“It was a refreshing challenge to face some high-end ball speed like that, it’s good for me to be thrown into the situation and be forced to find answers on the go.

“Hopefully that holds me in good stead for … when I do get another situation like that if I am facing someone who lets them fly pretty quick.”

The England Lions took a leaf out of Starc’s playbook in Canberra on Saturday, deploying the short-ball tactic after Kellaway saw off the new ball.

Kellaway looked active this time around, showing his immediate growth with a slashing cut shot over backward point for six.

“If they’re challenging me up around my shoulders and head it means they’re not challenging my forward defence,” Kellaway said.

Kellaway watches the short ball closely. (Source: Saeed Khan)

“I guess it’s a good thing in that sense, and I am trying to learn on the go and learn from my experience of Starcy bowling short at me the other week.

“I played a couple more shots today, it was nice to get a couple out of the middle, but yeah I’ll learn from it again.”

Australian PM’s XI captain and Victorian teammate Peter Handscomb was far less refined, saying Kellaway’s international ascension was a “when” rather than an “if”.

“I can see him playing international cricket, absolutely,” Handscomb said.

“There needs to be an opportunity and he needs to be making runs at the right time, but if he does get that opportunity I think he’s got the game to excel.

“I think we’re seeing that, he keeps coming up against good attacks and he’s making runs against strong opposition.

“It’s there – it’s just when that comes.”

Originally published as Campbell Kellaway hits 82 for Prime Minister’s XI in rapid rise through Australian ranks