Sam Konstas notches back-to-back Shield hundreds for NSW

It took some early luck, but a teenage opener is doing all he can to bolt into Australia’s Test squad against India.

Teenage batting sensation Sam Konstas is in rarified air after posting back-to-back centuries for New South Wales in an eye-catching start to the Sheffield Shield season.

The 19-year-old has built a compelling case to bolt into a potentially vacant Test opening spot after he raised his bat to celebrate a second hundred in three days at Cricket Central.

Dropped by Test gloveman Alex Carey when he was yet to score, Konstas cashed in to steer the Blues to a strong lead over South Australia with 105.

It meant the right-hander became the second-youngest player to score two centuries in a Sheffield Shield match, behind only an 18-year-old Ricky Ponting for Tasmania in 1993.

Konstas showed his ability to adjust to tougher batting conditions, taking 220 balls to reach his second ton after crashing 17 boundaries in his fluent 152 off 241 in the first innings.

While it was a more subdued innings, he reached the milestone with a booming slog over mid-wicket off the bowling of Ben Manenti for his fifth six of the game.

NSW opener Sam Konstas acknowledges his teammates after reaching his second century of the match in the Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia at Cricket Central. Picture: Mark Evans / Getty Images

Konstas fell shortly after to Lloyd Pope, but NSW were 6-260 midway through the final session with a lead of 366 runs after the Redbacks were bowled out for 260 earlier in the day.

Australian spin star Nathan Lyon snared his 25th first-class five-wicket haul in his first red-ball outing of the season, after he said he had been “training the house down” in preparation for the Test summer.

He said he had “no idea” about the fitness of Test teammate Cameron Green and confirmed he was ready to shoulder any extra bowling load in the five-match Test series against India.

Lyon, who spent part of the Australian winter, during which the Test team didn’t play, bowling for Lancashire in English country cricket, snared two of the final three South Australian wickets to fall on the third day of their clash in Sydney.

The 36-year-old hadn’t played an official match since June and said he was “itching to get back playing” after finishing with first innings figures of 5-47, as SA was all out for 260, to signal his readiness for the Indian series, beginning in November in Perth.

“It’s what I love doing,” Lyon said.

“I feel like I’ve been training the house down and in a really good headspace.

Nathan Lyon took 5-48 for NSW. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

“I had (spin coach) John Davison down last week, so just ticking those boxes with a really big summer ahead.”

Lyon confirmed he would play the opening three Shield matches for the Blues to prepare for the Indian series before having a rest.

Without knowing Green’s injury status, Lyon said he was preparing to bowl a lot of overs against India, whether Green played or not.

“I’m preparing to and wanting to bowl a lot of overs, that’s what I love to do in Test cricket,” he said.

“I’ll do whatever I need for the team, Pat (Cummins) knows that. It’s a long way away, but I’ve got no idea.

“I think there’s enough depth to cover for the summer. I’m counting down the days until it comes.”

Lyon bowled 24.3 overs to start his summer campaign and said there was no limit to how much he could or would bowl.

Originally published as Sam Konstas notches back-to-back Shield hundreds for NSW