Sam Konstas misfires in first shield test as rain hampers WACA bat-off

Sam Konstas’ Ashes hopes have hit an early snag as Western Australia dominated the start of their opening Sheffield Shield clash before rain stopped play.

The NSW and incumbent Test opener, who turned 20 this week, fell for just four runs as WA took full advantage of overcast conditions and a spicy WACA deck.

Konstas came to Perth with a head of steam after a century for Australia A in India, but was cautious on a tough opening day, opting to leave as many balls as he could after WA won the toss and elected to bowl.

He was lucky to get off the mark after surviving two lbw appeals, while wicketkeeper Joel Curtis dropped a tough catch off the inside edge.

WA quick Joel Paris was ultimately rewarded for an impressive opening spell, where he generated plenty of swing, when he trapped Konstas lbw in the seventh over.

While Konstas is the incumbent Test opener, he is arguably the man with the most to prove after a dismal tour of the West Indies, where he made just 50 runs in three Tests at an anemic average of 8.33.

He will be hoping the weather clears up so he can have another crack in New South Wales’ second innings, but will know he must find his groove early.

Fortunately for his own chances other contenders failed to fire, with teammate Kurtis Patterson, who is also hoping to work his way back into national selection after an impressive last summer, also fell cheaply for eight.

Cameron Gannon had Patterson caught behind and Test all-rounder Cameron Green took an outstanding catch at second slip off spinner Corey Rocchiccioli to dismiss opener Blake Nikitaras for nine.

Matthew Gilkes (12) and Oliver Davies were the not-out batsmen when rain stopped play with New South Wales struggling at 3/35.

All eyes will now be on when Green will return to the bowling crease after missing all over last summer with a back injury though he will be on restricted overs.

In Adelaide, South Australian No.3 Nathan McSweeney went for a duck against Victoria.

The 25-year-old who opened alongside Usman Khawaja for the first three Tests last summer was caught in the slips off the bowling of Mitchell Perry.

In his stead Jake Lehmann starred, scoring his fourth century in four consecutive Shield games since last season.

Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald was one Australian Test hopeful to shine, scoring 67 from 99 balls to help steady the innings after Queensland snared three early wickets.

He had a fair slice of luck after Khawaja dropped a regulation chance in the slips while Weatherald was on just three.

Weatherald combined with captain Jordan Silk for a crucial fourth-wicket stand of 80 after they were wobbling at 3-33. Silk went on to score 104.

There was a blow for Tasmanian and Australian all-rounder Beau Webster was ruled out of the Queensland game with an ankle injury but he his expected to recover in time for the two side’s One-Day Cup clash.

With AAP