Sam Konstas struck an unbeaten 151 off 167 balls for New South Wales against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield on Wednesday, October 21, drawing immediate praise from former Australia opener David Warner, who has called for the 21-year-old to be recalled to the Test side and placed at No.3.
Konstas's knock at the WACA arrived at a critical moment in the match. New South Wales had built a 101-run first-innings lead after posting 440-6, with Konstas contributing 71 off 142 deliveries in a more watchful first-innings effort. When the second innings began, NSW found themselves in a spot of bother at 155-5, and Konstas responded with an aggressive counter-attack.
"Konstas hundred at the wacca today!! Could bat 3 for aus IMO," Warner wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Konstas hundred at the wacca today!! Could bat 3 for aus IMO
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) October 21, 2026
Warner's endorsement comes as Australia's top-order batting has come under scrutiny. The No.3 position is currently held by Marnus Labuschagne, who has averaged 22.80 across 13 Tests since the start of 2025, managing only two fifties in that stretch. Nic Maddinson, handed the opening role in the ongoing series, has contributed just two ducks and other scores of 8 and 48 runs across four innings.
How did Konstas build his unbeaten 151?
Konstas reached his fifth first-class century off 136 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking steadily from one end. Once he crossed the three-figure mark, he changed gears rapidly, adding the next fifty in just 31 balls. He finished unbeaten on 151, having struck 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 not out, before New South Wales declared their second innings. It was also Konstas's first red-ball hundred in 15 innings, making the timing of the performance particularly significant given the ongoing national selection discussions.
Heading into the fourth day of the match, NSW had reduced Western Australia to 30-3 in their second innings, needing seven more wickets to win with 334 runs still to play for the hosts.
What does Konstas's Test record look like ahead of a possible recall?
Konstas made a striking entry into Test cricket, famously ramping Jasprit Bumrah for two fours and a six during his debut innings, where he scored 60. However, his form dipped sharply after that, and he ended that series with scores of 8, 23 and 22.
He has played five Tests in total, with his most recent appearance coming in July 2025 against West Indies. Across those five matches, he averages 16.3 with a solitary half-century, figures that led to him being dropped from the national setup.
Warner's suggestion that Konstas should return at No.3 rather than as an opener reflects both the youngster's recent Shield form and the broader struggles of Australia's current top-order batters. Whether the selectors act on that view remains to be seen, but Konstas has at least given them a timely reminder of his capabilities with this knock at the WACA.
