- David Warner backs Sam Konstas to bat at No. 3 for Australia after scoring a Shield century. Sam Konstas scored an unbeaten 151 from 167 balls against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield, promng David Warner to make the case for his return to the Test side at No.3.
- (Source – ) Sam Konstas scored an unbeaten 151 from 167 balls for New South Wales against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield on Wednesday October 21, earning immediate praise from former Australian opener David Warner, who called for the 21-year-old to be brought back into the Test squad and placed at No.3.
- Konstas’ shot at WACA came at a critical moment in the game.
David Warner backs Sam Konstas to bat at No. 3 for Australia after scoring a Shield century. Sam Konstas scored an unbeaten 151 from 167 balls against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield, promng David Warner to make the case for his return to the Test side at No.3.
(Source – ) Sam Konstas scored an unbeaten 151 from 167 balls for New South Wales against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield on Wednesday October 21, earning immediate praise from former Australian opener David Warner, who called for the 21-year-old to be brought back into the Test squad and placed at No.3. Konstas’ shot at WACA came at a critical moment in the game. New South Wales had built a 101-run lead in the first innings at 440-6, with Konstas contributing 71 from 142 deliveries, reflecting a more alert attempt in the first innings.
When the second set began, NSW found themselves in a difficult situation at 155-5 and Konstas responded with an aggressive counterattack. “Konstas Hundred today at Wacca!! Could beat the 3 in my opinion,” Warner wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Konstas Hundred today at Wacca!! Could hit the 3 for out IMO — David Warner (@davidwarner31) October 21, 2026 Warner’s support comes as Australia’s top batter faces increased scrutiny. The No.3 position is currently occupied by Marnus Labuschagne, who has averaged 22.80 in 13 Tests since the start of 2025, managing just two fifties in that period.
Nic Maddinson, who played the opening role in the ongoing series, contributed just two ducks and another score of 8 and 48 runs in four innings. How did Konstas build his unbeaten 151? Konstas reached his fifth first-class century off 136 balls and ensured the scoreboard remained steady throughout.
As soon as he crossed three figures, he switched gears ridiculously and added the next fifty in just 31 balls. He finished unbeaten on 151 after hitting 15 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 90.42. He shared an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 107 runs with Ryan Hicks, who contributed 35 without outs before New South Wales declared their second innings.
It was also Konstas’ first red-ball hundred in 15 innings, making the timing of the performance particularly important given the ongoing national team talks. By the start of the fourth day’s play, NSW had reduced Western Australia to 30-3 in the second innings and needed seven more wickets to win, with the hosts still having 334 runs remaining. What is Konstas’ testing protocol before a possible recall?
Konstas made an impressive entry into Test cricket by hitting Jasprit Bumrah two fours and a six in his first innings, scoring 60 in the process. However, his form declined sharply after that and he ended this series with scores of 8, 23 and 22. He has played a total of five Tests, his last pearance coming against the West Indies in July 2025.
In these five matches he averages 16.3 with just half a century, which led to him being left out of the national squad. Warner’s suggestion that Konstas should return at No. 3 rather than as an opener reflects both the young Shield’s current form and the wider issues facing Australia’s current top batters. Whether voters will follow this view remains to be seen, but Konstas has at least given them a timely reminder of his abilities with this move at the WACA.
