Pressure mounts on Marnus Labuschagne as Sam Konstas sends stunning message to Test selectors

Sam Konstas has piled even more pressure on Marnus Labuchagne to perform in the second cricket Test after scoring a superb century for the Prime Minister's XI against India on Sunday. The 19-year-old smashed a 90-ball century against a Test-quality India attack at Manuka Oval in Canberra, further pushing his case for Australia selection.

Konstas was in the running to take the vacant opening spot in the Test team before Nathan McSweeney got the nod. But the teenager has made it clear he's hungry for more chances to represent Australia.

Konstas hit 107 off 96 balls in a sparkling three-hour display of power and creativity, in a knock that piles more pressure on the out-of-form Labuschagne. If Labuschagne fails to fire in the second Test in Adelaide, selectors could opt to bring Konstas in as opener and slide McSweeney down to No.3 - where he's more comfortable.

The fixture on Sunday was meant to serve as a pink-ball warm-up game for India ahead of the second Test, but it was Konstas who stole the show. Against an Indian bowling attack missing only Jasprit Bumrah, the 19-year-old showed he's a future Test star.

He smashed 14 fours in his innings and showed remarkable creativity with in a powerful display of drives, pulls, slogs, scoop shots and advances down the wicket. He hooked Harshit Rana for a huge six to bring up his 50, and went from 13 to 76 in just 38 balls.

"I'm just trying to keep scoring runs, and it was a great opportunity today," Konstas said afterwards. "See what happens in the future and hopefully I can represent my country.

"It's been good learning from the likes of Steve Smith, Scott Boland and Jack Edwards. Learning from the bigger guys and trying to make my game a bit better and try to reach that next level."

Asked if Sunday's innings was a message to Test selectors, Konstas responded: "not really. I feel like I am in a good head space and whatever happens happens. Hopefully I can keep scoring runs and maybe one day I can represent my country."

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Mike Hussey backs Marnus Labuschagne to find form

But if Labuschagne fails to find his form in Adelaide, the hand of selectors might be forced. But according to Aussie legend Mike Hussey, it's only a matter of time before Labuschagne bounces back.

“I actually went back and had a look at some of his highlights of some of his great innings from a few years back," Hussey said on SEN last week. "It was just to see if I could see anything different than what we've been seeing in the last week or so.

“From a technical perspective, there's actually not a lot of difference from when he was playing really well in scoring a lot of runs compared to the last Test match against India. The biggest difference I've noticed is just his intent to score. He's probably looking at it thinking, ‘I'm a senior player now, I've got to take responsibility, I've got to bat time, be there for the team, soak up the pressure and all of that’.

“That gets you into a tentative defensive frame of mind - of batting time, being there and being patient. Whereas when I watched some of those highlights from a few years back, he was just confident and decisive in everything he did, even in defence and when he was letting the ball go he was getting into really strong positions.”

Australia will be without Josh Hazlewood for the second Test after the fast bowler picked up a side injury in Perth. Scott Boland is the likely replacement, although the Aussies have brought both Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett into the squad.