Manuka Oval may have provided another glimpse into Australian cricket's future as Victorian opener Campbell Kellaway pressed his claims for higher honours with a polished performance against England's bowlers.
Kellaway stakes claim for Test future
The 23-year-old top-scored with 82 runs for the Prime Minister's XI on Saturday, laying the foundation for the home side's total of 8-308 declared against the England Lions. With veteran opener Usman Khawaja aged 39, Kellaway's innings won't have gone unnoticed by national selectors watching from the stands.
Kellaway shared an opening partnership with Sam Konstas, who made 36 before losing his wicket to a rash shot. The PM's XI match last year helped launch Konstas into the Australian Test side, and Kellaway acknowledged the opportunity these games present.
"It's nice that the selectors have given me an opportunity to play my first PM's XI game and I'm just trying to put my best foot forward," Kellaway said. "Make runs for Victoria whenever I can and I guess these games are a nice little bonus."
England's bowling changes loom
While Australian eyes were on future prospects, England selectors had more immediate concerns with news that Mark Wood will likely miss the second Ashes Test in Brisbane due to knee soreness. The 35-year-old quick managed figures of 0-21 and 0-23 in the Perth Test before the injury setback.
Josh Tongue and Matt Potts, both bowling in Canberra, emerged as frontrunners to replace Wood at the Gabba. Tongue bowled with good pace but without luck, finishing with 0-48 from his overs, while Potts claimed 2-40 against the PM's XI batters.
Kellaway endorsed both English bowlers, noting: "He was pretty sharp, nice bowler. Those guys, him and Potts, are definitely quality. You can see the quality and the Test experience that they've got."
Building a case for higher honours
The Victorian left-hander has been steadily building his credentials at first-class level. He scored the sixth most runs in last summer's Sheffield Shield with 738 runs at an average of 41, and has already compiled 319 Shield runs this season with a top score of 147.
Kellaway also gained valuable experience on the Australia A tour of India in September, facing quality bowling including Indian quick Mohammed Siraj. Back home, he's tested himself against Australian Test stars Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Shield cricket.
Reflecting on his encounter with Starc, Kellaway said: "It was a bit of a tricky wicket, so it made it a little bit up and down. He pinned me on the finger a couple of times. It was a good challenge."
With the PM's XI match serving as a traditional proving ground for future Australian representatives, Kellaway's composed innings at Manuka Oval might just be the beginning of his journey toward baggy green contention.
