Lucknow: Nineteen-year-old opening batter Sam Konstas made a strong case for inclusion in the Ashes squad with an impressive century as Australia ‘A’ made the India ‘A’ bowlers work hard on the opening day of their four-day fixture here on Tuesday. Konstas scored a 144-ball 109, while his opening partner Campbell Kellaway contributed a fine 88 in a 198-run stand for the first wicket before the bowlers hit back. Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, in particular, shone with 3/88, accounting for the wickets of Konstas, captain Nathan McSweeney, and the dangerous-looking Cooper Connolly as Australia ‘A’ took stumps at 337/5 in 73 overs. “They bowled really well at the start but conditions were good for batting,” Konstas told TOI. “I had to face quite a few demons mentally, just trying to get through and adapting to the conditions. It was good to get a good partnership going with Kellaway.” Brief scores: Australia A 337/5 (Konstas 109, Kellaway 88, Connolly 70, Dubey 3/88) vs India A
