Cricket fans were left on the edge of their seats as Sam Konstas' dazzling half-century for New South Wales ultimately fell short, with Victoria's Test veterans and a rising spin star sealing a thrilling Sheffield Shield victory on Friday. But here's where it gets controversial... Was Konstas' heroics enough to keep his Ashes dreams alive, or did Scott Boland's match-winning performance solidify his place in the Australian squad? Let's dive in.
The 20-year-old sensation, Konstas, exploded onto the scene at Junction Oval, as his team, the Blues, chased a daunting target of 255 in the fourth innings. In a flashback to his Boxing Day Test debut, Konstas audaciously reverse-ramped Scott Boland over the slips for a six shortly after lunch, leaving the Victorian fielders stunned. And this is the part most people miss... Boland, however, had the last laugh, claiming his 12th first-class five-wicket haul and dismantling NSW's middle and lower order to secure a 38-run victory for Victoria.
With Pat Cummins' first Test appearance in doubt due to a back injury, Boland's stellar form provides Australian selectors with a reliable alternative. Meanwhile, Konstas' innings ended on 53, falling to Todd Murphy's off-spin, who finished with impressive figures of 3/17. Murphy's double strike, including the wicket of Blake Nikitaras, left NSW struggling at 4/121 at tea.
A controversial decision saw wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes given out stumped off Fergus O'Neill's bowling, as Sam Harper swiftly removed the bails. Prodigy Ollie Davies top-scored for NSW with a blistering 64 off 73 balls before Boland's seaming delivery knocked his stumps over.
While Konstas' chances of playing in the first Ashes Test in Perth seem slim, two remaining Shield matches could offer him a last-minute opportunity to reclaim his spot. Elsewhere, Jake Weatherald's 94 for Tasmania against Western Australia boosts his international debut prospects, and Marnus Labuschagne's 159 against South Australia cements his place in Australia's top order.
Usman Khawaja's solid red-ball season start with scores of 69 and 46 makes his opening batting position almost certain. In Adelaide, South Australia trailed Queensland by 68 runs with five wickets remaining at the end of day three, thanks to Jason Sangha's half-century.
In a separate match, Tasmania is on the brink of victory over Western Australia, who need 44 runs on the final day. Corey Rocchiccioli and Joel Curtis will resume their innings, while Gabe Bell's 3/60 from 24 overs stands out for the Tigers.
Now, here's a thought-provoking question for you... With Boland's consistent performances and Konstas' potential, who do you think deserves a spot in the Australian squad for the Ashes? Is it too early to write off Konstas, or has Boland done enough to secure his place? Share your opinions in the comments below!
