Sam Konstas hits first domestic one-day hundred in loss to Queensland

Young player Sam Konstas overcame leg cramps to achieve his first domestic one-day cricket century. In a fierce chase, Queensland ultimately defeated New South Wales, showcasing a thrilling contest.

Despite Konstas's outstanding performance, contributing 116 runs, New South Wales was eventually dismissed for 256 while chasing Queensland's score of 9/310 at Allan Border Field on Thursday. Konstas had previously been sent home early, failing to participate in any of the Test matches on the Sri Lanka tour, and only scored 3 and 22 runs in the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland earlier this week, highlighting his determination to bounce back.

The 19-year-old's debut in the Boxing Day Test was a highlight of the summer. In his second domestic one-day match, he demonstrated his immense potential with a steady performance and became the core of the New South Wales attack. During the match, Konstas once fell to the ground due to severe cramping in his left hamstring, causing a five-minute suspension of play. After treatment, he was able to continue playing, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to the team.

His 98-ball innings included 13 fours and 3 sixes. He reached his century with a brilliant square cut for six. New South Wales paid a heavy price for their mid-innings collapse, as Lachlan Hearne's brilliant performance laid the foundation for Queensland's formidable total. The match was delayed due to rain, reducing each team to 45 overs. Conditions favoring bowlers meant that New South Wales winning the toss was a good thing. They reduced the home team's score to 4/54 before Hearne and Max Bryant steadied the ship with a 100-run stand off 78 balls.

After Bryant was dismissed for 34, Jack Wildermuth became his senior partner in his 120-run stand with Hearne, as conditions became easier for batting. Wildermuth hit 83 off 56 balls, including 6 fours and 5 sixes. Hearne also began to attack, hitting Moises Henriques for four consecutive sixes out of the attack. He was dismissed for 107 off 91 balls at the end of the 42nd over, including 4 fours and 7 sixes. Gurinder Sandhu scored a valuable 21 runs to push the score past 300, while opening bowler Jack Nisbet took 4/49 in his 9 overs.

New South Wales had a steady start, reaching 1/113 in the 18th over, before they crucially lost 3/5. After Mitch Swepson dismissed Matthew Gilkes for 34, Xavier Bartlett took two wickets in three balls, with Henriques and Oliver Davies both departing for ducks. This left New South Wales at 4/118 at the end of the 19th over, from which they never recovered. The 50-run stand between Konstas and Hayden Kerr for the eighth wicket raised New South Wales' hopes of chasing down Queensland's imposing total. But when Liam Guthrie caught Kerr for 14, New South Wales were 8/233 at the start of the 38th over.

Sandhu took Konstas's wicket in the 40th over to confirm Queensland's victory, with the only remaining interest being whether the home side could secure a bonus point by dismissing New South Wales for under 247. But the visitors passed that target, with their last wicket falling in the 42.2 over. Guthrie finished with 3/45 in his 8.2 overs, while Bartlett took 2/66, contributing to Queensland's dominant performance and securing the win.