Sam Konstas says he had to face some “mental demons” before scoring a century in a session against India A, in a clear early-summer statement to Test selectors.

Konstas peeled off 109 from 144 balls in Lucknow on Tuesday, as Australia A went to stumps on the opening day of the unofficial Test at 5-337.

Chief selector George Bailey has indicated the two red-ball matches in India this month are more about the 2027 Test tour there than this summer’s Ashes.

But after a miserable tour of West Indies that left Konstas at risk of being dropped from the Test team, it is clear the 19-year-old is now in a purple patch.

The opener struck 109 for NSW Country against City in a match earlier this month, before posting the same score in India on Tuesday.

On a wicket that seamed around early more than it spun, Konstas hit 18 from his first 46 balls against an India A attack that included Test quick Prasidh Krishna.

“Early on it had a bit of nip and (it was) just trying to get through that,” Konstas said.

“It’s good spending some time in the middle. Today I felt I had to face quite a few demons mentally, and I just had to get through that.

“There are obviously different challenges and just trying to adapt to the conditions. I am super stoked and hopefully I can build on that.

“It didn’t spin much so just backing my instincts and trying to rinse and repeat each ball with my process.”

Brash and aggressive on Test debut last summer against India, there were signs of a more balanced Konstas on Tuesday.

But after getting through the opening stages, the right-hander hit 10 fours and three sixes, bringing up his century with a six over long on.

Konstas is Australia’s incumbent opener ahead of the first Ashes Test in Perth starting November 21, but he is far from assured of keeping his spot.

After bursting onto the scene last summer, the teenager managed scores of just 3, 5, 25, 0, 17 and 0 opening in the West Indies earlier this year.

And while Usman Khawaja is all but certain to be in Australia’s XI in Perth, the race is wide open on who will partner the veteran at the top of the order against England.

Konstas has responded by switching off his social media and eying a glut of early-season runs in both India and for NSW when he returns for the Sheffield Shield.

His Lucknow century came as part of a 198-run opening stand with rising Victorian star Campbell Kellaway, who hit 88.

Nathan McSweeney was out cheaply for one, while Cooper Connolly hit 70 batting at No.5.

Source: AAP