What Konstas and Labuschagne centuries mean for Ashes selection

It's starting to get interesting!

Less than 24 hours after Sam Konstas made a statement 100 for Australia A against India A, Marnus Labuschagne has done the same for Queensland against Victoria in a One Day Cup clash.

With just over two months before England and Australia do battle in the first Test of the Ashes, the pair are taking full advantage of the limited opportunities to prove their worth to selectors.

Konstas and Labuschagne endured torrid outings for Australia in the West Indies series and World Test Championship respectively.

In London, Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja struggled to get runs on the board with the former dropped for the Caribbean tour after averaging just 27.82 for the preceding 12 months.

He was replaced by Konstas who endured an equally bruising time scoring just 50 runs at an average of 8.3 for the series.

While Khawaja remained an opener for both tournaments, his numbers were not much better with a top score of 47 and average of 19.5.

It sparked a debate around an opener “crisis” in Australian cricket with anything possible for the Ashes which starts in Perth on November 21.

Konstas clocked his century on Day 1 of the first unofficial Test.

Opening alongside Victorian Campbell Kellaway, he tallied a superb 101 runs from 126 balls before tea, as the pair combined for an impressive 198 runs to kick off Australia A’s tour of India.

Eventually bowled out for 109, the 19-year-old struck 13 boundaries across his opening innings, leading Australia to 5/337 at stumps on Day 1 in Lucknow.

Meanwhile, Labuschagne notched an impressive century off 92 balls at Allan Border Field which will not doubt go a long way in easing his anxiety around selection.

It's his first century since 2023, falling for 130 off 118 balls.

Both performances reignites the debate over who should be opening for Australia come the Ashes in November, and in Ian Healy's opinion, Konstas looks to have the edge over Labuschagne.

"Marnus has to bat like Sam and then we will have a battle," he said on SENQ Breakfast. "If Sam continues this kind of form he will be the Australian opener for mine.

"I haven't seen his form from yesterday only scorecards, I want to see his bat speed come back. First day batting in India is never easy, but that’s a good knock. There’s more to do."

Disappointing performances from Konstas, Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja in June and July left many scratching their heads with what Australia might do come the Perth Test.

Discussing the starting XI with Healy, Robert Craddock said he currently has Labuschagne opening.

"This is officially interesting," he said. "Many of us felt Konstas would not open in the first Ashes Test, however, he has time now to get his spot back and this was a really confident innings.

"We've got Labuschagne about a nose in front with Sam behind him.

"Usman will get there regardless. He is in. I think two half centuries gets him there but if Konstas tons up early he could surprise us all."

Cooper Connolly put up 70 off 84, while captain Nathan McSweeney was dismissed for just one run off 13 deliveries.

*Image from UPCA.