Campbell Kellaway has shown why he’s regarded as a future Test cricket star for Australia after a superb knock for the Prime Minister’s XI which delivered a fresh blow for Sam Konstas. It came as England’s Ashes prospects went from bad to worse, with fast bowler Mark Wood set to be ruled out of the second Test in Brisbane with a knee injury.
Kellaway belted an eye-catching 82 in the pink-ball day-night match against a second-string England side at Manuka Oval on Saturday night. The Victorian opener top-scored for the PM’s XI in the absence of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who tied the knot with partner Jodie Haydon on Saturday.
England quick Mark Wood (L) is set to be ruled out of the second Ashes Test with injury, while Campbell Kellaway (R) sent a message to Aussie selectors in a superb knock. Pic: Getty
But Aussie selectors would have taken notice of the 23-year-old’s runs, which helped the PM’s XI declare at 8-308, before the England side made it to stumps at 0-30. Kellaway and Konstas got the Aussies off to a strong start but the latter was unable to convert his 36 into a bigger score as he skied a delivery off spinner Tom Haines and was caught at mid-on.
Konstas was earmarked as Australia’s long-term opener after his stunning Test debut during the victorious series against India last year. But a lack of runs and question marks around his technique and temperament for red-ball cricket saw the 20-year-old dropped from the Test side and fall down the pecking order.
Sam Konstas failed to capitalise on a solid start for the PM’s XI against the English side in Canberra. Pic: Getty
Jake Weatherald was given the nod over Konstas to open for Australia alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Ashes Test. And after a brutal first innings duck, the Tasmanian opener looked more assured for his 23 in the second innings and will hope to build on that during the pink-ball Test at the Gabba.
Campbell Kellaway sends message to Aussie Test selectors
And on Saturday night, Kellaway delivered the latest blow on Konstas’ hopes of earning a Test recall after outshining his Aussie teammate in Canberra. Kellaway has already been labelled a ready-made Test player by Victoria coach Chris Rogers and showed why he could be the man to succeed Khawaja when the veteran Test opener hangs up the gloves.
Another former Test opener Nathan McSweeney hit an impressive 63 for the PM’s XI, with Oliver Peake also impressing with an assured half century (54) of his own. But Kellaway continued his solid Sheffield Shield form (319 runs at 31.90 in five matches) for Victoria to give Aussie selectors fresh food for thought.
Kellaway hit English quick Josh Tongue for two boundaries early behind backward square, and took on Josh Hull when the tourists went short to him in the second session. England opted not to play their Test stars in Canberra, but Kellaway’s treatment of Tongue was telling, considering he’s the seamer most likely to replace Wood in the second Ashes Test.
Campbell Kellaway showed why he’s considered a Test opener of the future after impressing for the Australian Prime Minister’s XI against the English side in Canberra. Pic: Getty
England quick Mark Wood set to be ruled out of second Test
Wood did not train with England’s Test squad in Brisbane on Saturday after sustaining a fresh injury to his left knee. England officials do not expect Wood to recover in time for Thursday’s opening day in Brisbane, but there is hope he will recover to play a part later in the series.
It’s another massive blow for an England side already reeling after their two-day thumping in the opening Ashes Test in Perth. Wood’s injury struggles have been well documented over the years and his fitness was always going to be a decisive factor in the Ashes series.
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Wood missed the entire county season last winter after having surgery on his left knee in March. He also had a hamstring scare during England’s intra-squad warm-up game in Perth before the first Test. But at his best, Wood is close to the fastest bowler in the world and key to England’s hopes of winning the Ashes series.
The 35-year-old showed glimpses of his frightening pace in Perth after sending a thunderbolt into Cameron Green’s helmet at almost 150km/h, but his pace dropped off noticeably in the second innings. Wood ended up going wicketless in the Perth Test but his absence for the pink-ball Test at the Gabba will be music to the ears of Australia.
with AAP