After a breakout month at domestic level, topped off with a century against the Proteas on Saturday, the young Victorian said he had taken a lot from the likes of Smith and Labuschagne on the way they bat
Kellaway channels Smith, Labuschagne with batting mentality
After making an unbeaten 105 against a world-class South Africa bowling attack, 20-year-old Cricket Australia XI left-hander Campbell Kellaway explained his philosophy on batting.
"I've watched how the guys at the top level like Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne go about it and they have a real appetite for runs," Kellaway told AAP.
"That is one of the main things I have taken from how they bat.
"They seem really hungry to make big scores, and when they get in they want to bat for long periods of time and turn hundreds into double hundreds.
"I have tried to implement that into my processes the last year or so.
"If you get in, be hungry to make a big score because you can always get a good ball early."
The former Australia under-19 representative lived his ethos against the Proteas.
He got plenty of good balls early after coming to the crease in the tour match at Allan Border Field with the score at 4-25 and having to face a rampant attack led by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.
It was the way Kellaway scored his runs that impressed. There was consolidation, counter-attack and courage on show against a pace attack the equal of any in the world.
He combined with Jake Doran (78) in a 143-run stand for the fifth wicket and helped the CA XI to 226 in reply to the Proteas tally of 347.
"They are quality bowlers. They put the ball in the right areas for a long period of time at good pace, so it was a good challenge," Kellaway said.
"You've got to trust your processes and do what works for you. It was good fun. I enjoyed it."
Kellaway made his first-class debut last month for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania, and made 81 in his second match against NSW.
"For any young, aspiring cricketer playing Test cricket is the ultimate goal but there is plenty of work to do before thinking about getting to that point," he said.
"I am trying to make as many runs as I can and take all the opportunities I get.
"To play a few games with the Vics has been so much fun and a good challenge facing quality bowlers from around Australia."
Men's NRMA Insurance Test Series v South Africa
Dec 17-21: First Test, Gabba, 11.20am AEDT
Dec 26-30: Second Test, MCG, 10.30am AEDT
Jan 4-8: Third Test, SCG, 10.30am AEDT
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
South Africa squad: Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Eree, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Heinrich Klaasen, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo
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