Sheffield Shield: Controversial call sends Test hopeful Sam Konstas packing

The stage was set for a Test batting contender to put his hand up – but not even the stars could find Shield runs on a bowler-dominated day.

Teenage Test hopeful Sam Konstas has been brought back to earth by a relentless examination from Scott Boland as Victoria reduced New South Wales to 4-28 at the MCG.

It took a contentious lbw decision to remove him, but Boland looked a class above the 19-year-old Konstas as he struggled to play nine deliveries from the veteran quick before he was sent on his way for 2.

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Australian star Steve Smith followed Konstas back to the pavilion shortly after as the wickets of Nic Maddinson and Moises Henriques fell on either side on the second morning of the Sheffield Shield clash.

Konstas gone, lbw Boland for 2. Gestured that it might've been sliding down leg #SheffieldShield

— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) October 21, 2024

Sam Konstas not the first batter to have his footwork messed up by Scott Boland #SheffieldShield

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) October 21, 2024

Konstas' good luck being dropped on 0 last week balancing out the bad luck of being shot lbw for 2 today to a ball that looked like it was sailing past leg.

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) October 21, 2024

Victoria had earlier been bowled out for 272 after resuming play at 9-259 on Monday.

Boland, 35, wasted no time shoring up his status as Australia’s fourth-choice Test quick as he sent an in-seaming delivery between Konstas’ bat and pad in his first over.

Scott Boland dismisses Sam Konstas in a contentious LBW call.

Playing his first professional match in six months, the Victorian fast bowler showed strong pace and carry to claim 1-15 from his first six overs.

Fergus O’Neill was metronomic as he sparred with Smith in a marathon 10-over opening spell, but eventually strangled the NSW No. 3 down the leg side with a ball directed at his rib cage which was taken superbly by Sam Harper to his left.

The 23-year-old then followed it in his next over with the wicket of Henriques, finding a faint outside edge on the way through to Harper.

With Maddinson edging thickly into the cordon to depart to Will Sutherland, the Blues slumped from 1-25 to 4-28 with aggressive duo Ollie Davies and Josh Philippe at the crease.

Originally published as Sheffield Shield: Controversial call sends Test hopeful Sam Konstas packing