Australia A came away from their tour of India with a 1-0 loss in the red-ball series, but how did their Ashes hopefuls fare?
Sam Konstas
Konstas was the toast of Australia when he took Jasprit Bumrah down at the MCG last Boxing Day. It's been tough going for the youngster since, as he missed a batting-friendly tour of Sri Lanka and was picked for a bowling-friendly tour of the West Indies, where his 50 runs in six innings made for nightmarish reading.
He started the A tour in fine form, with a rapid century on day one of the first game. That century was, however, in conditions that were conducive to batting, and against an attack that had only one Test-capped bowler, Prasidh Krishna. He was unbeaten on 27 in an inconsequential third innings.
Konstas did his job as an opener in the second game as well, only falling one short of a half-century as India called upon Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy in addition to Krishna. His only real failure, three, 3 (5), in the second innings.
All in all, it must be said this was a solid outing, certainly enough to keep him in the frame to be Usman Khawaja's opening partner – and more importantly, keep his confidence up.
Nathan McSweeney
It’s easy to forget now, but McSweeney was the man Australia had picked to play at the top before going to Konstas. In the eyes of many, his axing was unjustified; he simply got “Bumrah-ed”. Regardless, he hasn’t been picked since looking all at sea against India’s star quick.
He was promoted from his usual No.3/No.4 role to open in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but dropped himself back down to three for this series.
McSweeney was out for 1 in the first game where several batters cashed in, but then made 74 in the first innings of the next one. His most impressive performance came in his final outing; with India’s bowlers on a tear, and conditions in their favour, he made an unbeaten 85 as Josh Philippe was the only teammate to cross 12.
What this means for his Australia hopes is uncertain. Do they pick him to open on this evidence, or explore whether he can take the No.3 role long term? More questions, not as many answers for George Bailey and co.
Campbell Kellaway
Konstas’ opening partner, the left-handed Kellaway is probably further away in the opening race for the Ashes series – unless he does something truly incredible in the early stages of the Sheffield Shield.
He made his way to a brisk 88 in the first game, putting on 198 with Konstas, and kept his wicket intact in the second innings there. The second match would have done little to move the needle; Kellaway made 9 and 0.
There’s still time for him, of course. Kellaway is still only 22, and had a breakout season in the Shield last year. It won’t be long before Khawaja also needs replacing, so he may have to set his sights slightly longer-term.
Fergus O'Neill
Breaking into the Australia team as a fast bowler has been extremely difficult over the last decade or so. But the ‘Big Three’ are all ageing, and first backup Scott Boland is no spring chicken.
Read more: Fergus O'Neill: Australia's secret Ashes weapon driving a County Championship title push
With Cummins’ fitness in doubt, Boland may start more games than expected. Jhye Richardson’s struggles with fitness are also ongoing, leaving a backup spot open, at the very least. 24-year-old Fergus O’Neill appears primed to take it. He only played the first game in Lucknow, and took 1-66, a decent enough containing job for a quick in more spin-friendly conditions.
You doubt O’Neill’s performance here changed any opinion of him, which is good news. He took 38 wickets at 21.07 in the 2024-25 Sheffield Shield, and then 21 in four games for Notts in the County Championship.
Todd Murphy & Corey Rocchiccioli
Slightly similar to Kellaway, off-spinners Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli aren’t quite in the running for the upcoming Ashes series, but someone has to be on standby if Nathan Lyon were to go down with injury. It does set up an intriguing shootout of sorts, between Murphy who has already played an Ashes series, and Rocchicioli who has an excellent record bowling in Australia.
Rocchiccioli took round one of the contest, with three wickets to Murphy’s none in the first game. It must be said he was relatively expensive, though.
The pair took only three wickets between them in the first innings of the second game, although Murphy also made 76 from No.10, his first professional half-century. In the second innings, Murphy took 3-114, and Rocchiccioli 2-84.
Little to choose, but rather a problem of plenty than paucity.
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