Australia great hits first Shield ton in six years to boost Ashes prep as Green and Konstas fail

Steve Smith scores 53rd first-class century, Sam Konstas falls early

Yesterday, day one of the New South Wales-Queensland clash at the Gabba, was washed out. Home skipper Marnus Labuschagne sent NSW in to bat after winning the toss, and there was a swift breakthrough as Sam Konstas left a delivery from left-armer Hayden Kerr which crashed into middle stump.

The young opener is in danger of losing his spot in Australia's Test side, after scores of 10, 0, 53, 4 and 14 in the ongoing Shield season. Contenders for that place alongside Usman Khawaja for the Ashes include Matt Renshaw and Jake Weatherald, who have been in better touch this season.

Read more: 'Can he cover drive?' - Former Australia captain says Konstas needs to shelve 'the bloody ramp shot'

Konstas's dismissal brought Kurtis Patterson to the middle, and Patterson was joined by Steve Smith after 21-year-old Will Salzmann, promoted from No.7 to opener this game, was caught behind for 65.

In the first of two pre-Ashes Shield games for him, Smith dominated the third-wicket stand, taking the scoring initiative. He made it to a century off 168 balls, his 53rd in first-class cricket overall, and 17th outside Test cricket. It was Smith's first century in the Sheffield Shield since November 2019, when he made 103 against Western Australia.

Cameron Green dismissed for duck against South Australia

In one of the other matches of the round, Western Australia hosted South Australia at Perth. WA bowled the visitors out for 215 on day one (yesterday), as the Test-capped Nathan McSweeney made 13.

On day two, Brendan Doggett got rid of Sam Whiteman and Hilton Cartwright for stubborn knocks of 31 and 32 respectively, bringing Australia all-rounder Cameron Green to the crease. His stay was brief though, as he drove a full delivery from Doggett straight to McSweeney to head back for a six-ball duck.

Green's own status for the Ashes remains up in the air, as his bowling workload is being carefully managed during the Sheffield Shield. He was also withdrawn from the ODI series against India as a precautionary measure due to side soreness; usually bowling-related.

Read more: Explained: What Cameron Green's injury could mean for Marnus Labuschagne and Beau Webster's Ashes chances

If Green cannot bowl, Australia may drop him from the No.3 spot, or be forced to play Beau Webster at No.6 in order to give them a fifth bowling option. Their problems are further compounded by the news that skipper Pat Cummins will miss the first Test.

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