Teenage star Sam Konstas belts century as Marcus Harris stakes claim for Test recall
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Cricket season has arrived, with plenty of big names and young guns kicking off the Sheffield Shield competition on Tuesday.
And for one of the country's best young talents, the season got off to a red-hot start.
Less than a week after celebrating his 19th birthday, teenage sensation Sam Konstas belted a century against South Australia on the opening day of the domestic campaign.
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Opening the batting for NSW in just his fifth appearance in first-class cricket, Konstas finished with 152 from 241 deliveries, hitting 13 fours and four sixes.
Sam Konstas celebrates his maiden first-class ton. Getty
The right-hander played in the U19s World Cup earlier this year and is expected to push for higher honours in the coming years.
While the rising star likely isn't in the mix for Test selection this summer, there will be plenty of eyes on the likes of Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris over the next two months, with the latter scoring a timely century for Victoria against Tasmania.
The race to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order has taken a slight left turn with Travis Head batting at No.4 for South Australia, which could open the door for either Harris or Renshaw to stake their claim in the coming weeks.
Speaking to media earlier this week, Queensland coach Johan Botha revealed the "plan" was to help lift Renshaw back into the Test lineup this summer.
"He'll open," he told AAP.
Matt Renshaw celebrates his century for the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra last year. Getty
"The plan for all of us is to get him back in the Test team. Even if he's not in poll position at the moment there's nothing that two big scores can't change.
"Get a big score when everyone's watching, that's what counts. That puts him right in the mix and makes them make a tough decision."
The 28-year-old has donned the baggy green on 14 occasions already, scoring one century, but has failed to lock down a permanent role.
While his main rival in Harris batted beautifully against the Tigers, his opening partner Ashley Chandrasinghe didn't have the same type of luck however after being knocked over for a duck in a horror moment.
Chandrasinghe left a delivery from Gabe Bell which rocketed into his stumps.
Ashley Chandrasinghe is bowled in a Sheffield Shield game. Twitter
Victoria built a strong total on their first day of play, with captain Peter Handscomb also bringing up a century, finishing with 129 off 257 balls before being dismissed.
In the other game between Queensland and Western Australia, opener Cam Bancroft was out for a golden duck before teammate Jayden Goodwin met the same fate.
