Konstas falls cheaply in first Sheffield Shield outing of season

Sam Konstas’ bid to cement his place at the top of Australia’s order this summer suffered a setback when he was dismissed for just four in his first Sheffield Shield innings of the season.

The 20-year-old, returning from a promising Australia A tour of India, lasted 25 balls against Western Australia on day one in Perth.

On a tricky pitch offering plenty of sideways movements for WA opening bowlers Joel Paris and Matthew Kelly, Konstas tried to leave as much as he could to begin his innings.

A crisp cover drive moved Konstas from one to four before he was dropped by WA wicketkeeper Joel Curtis off the bowling of Kelly.

Next over, Paris sent down a beautiful inswinger that cannoned into Konstas’ pad and had him trudging back to the pavilion for four.

Konstas, the incumbent Australian opener, endured a lean tour of the West Indies earlier this year, managing just 50 runs from six innings.

Sam Konstas after being dismissed for four on Saturday in Perth. Credit: Getty Images

He responded with a century against India A last month, but selectors have made clear Shield form will carry the most weight heading into the Ashes opener against England on November 21 in Perth.

Elsewhere, Nathan McSweeney made a 21-ball duck for South Australia, while Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald was removed for 67 after being dropped by Usman Khawaja on three.

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