Campbell Kellaway, touted as a potential successor to Usman Khawaja, showcased his talent with an impressive 82-run performance for Australia in the Prime Minister’s XI against England Lions on Saturday afternoon. The match, held at Manuka Oval, saw Kellaway’s prowess with the bat as he made a compelling case for his future in international cricket.
The game attracted attention not only for Kellaway’s performance but also due to England’s decision to release only three players who were not used in the first Test—Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue—for the day/night pink ball fixture. Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized the move, calling it an “amateurish” decision.
Prime Minister’s Absence and Kellaway’s Performance
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was notably absent from the match, as he was marrying his partner Jodie Haydon. Despite the absence of some of England’s notable names, Kellaway’s innings stood out as he worked diligently for his 82 runs.
Kellaway’s innings was marked by 10 boundaries, including eight fours and two sixes. He displayed a poised and decisive approach, particularly against England’s bowler Josh Tongue, before being dismissed by a stunning one-handed catch from Tom Haines.
“I spoke to Campbell about it after and he wouldn’t have faced that challenge throughout his career. But if he’s going to go on and play international cricket then he will have to face things like that, where tall, fast bowlers are kind of aiming at his front shoulder,” said Victorian coach Chris Rogers.
Expert Opinions and Historical Context
Chris Rogers, Kellaway’s coach, has been vocal about the young cricketer’s potential. Earlier this month, Rogers described Kellaway as a “ready-made Test player” following his performances in a Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales. Kellaway scored 51 and 23 on a challenging SCG pitch against a formidable bowling attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, and Sean Abbott.
Rogers emphasized the importance of Kellaway adapting to international cricket challenges, highlighting his ability to handle the pressure from top-tier bowlers. He expressed confidence in Kellaway’s future, stating, “And for me, it’s proven once again that he could be the successor to Khawaja. I think he’s going to do some fantastic things in his career.”
Other Notable Performances
Alongside Kellaway, Sam Konstas showed promise despite being the first wicket to fall for Australia. The 20-year-old displayed potential before an impatient shot led to his dismissal by Matthew Potts. Nathan McSweeney, another Australian Test opener, contributed significantly with 63 runs off 108 balls before being caught by Ben Kellaway after the dinner break.
Peter Handscomb and Oliver Peake continued the innings, with Peake quickly reaching a half-century. However, Peake’s stay was short-lived as he was dismissed cheaply, leaving Australia at 4-233 after 64 overs.
Implications and Future Prospects
The performances in the Prime Minister’s XI match provide insights into Australia’s future cricketing prospects. Campbell Kellaway’s innings, in particular, underscores his potential as a key player in the national team, possibly filling the shoes of Usman Khawaja in the years to come.
As Australia continues to nurture young talent, matches like these serve as crucial platforms for emerging players to demonstrate their skills and adaptability. With the Ashes 2025/26 on the horizon, the spotlight will remain on promising talents like Kellaway as they aim to secure their place in the national squad.
