Queensland coach Phil Jaques says Joe Burns has finally "cleared his head" over his Test dumping, with the opener finding form in the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia in Townsville.
At stumps on Saturday's first day at Tony Ireland Stadium, the Bulls are 6-327 with Jack Wildermuth 89 not out after Burns had earlier fallen for 68.
All eyes were on Burns who was dropped for this week's third Test in Adelaide against South Africa after amassing only 18 runs in his past six knocks.
However, the opener regained his touch against the Warriors, striking eight fours and a six in his 117-ball knock.
"I think Joe has cleared his head," Jaques told AAP.
"The way he has gone about his business this week, he has given himself the best chance to make a score.
"It was good to see him back in the runs."
Burns shared a 108-run second-wicket stand with Marnus Labuschagne (79).
WA's Mitch Marsh (2-65) also did his best to make Test selectors take notice.
The axed Test allrounder had Charlie Hemphrey caught behind for eight with just his seventh ball before trapping Burns in front, sparking a mini-collapse of 3-14.
But Wildermuth shared a 92-run sixth-wicket stand with stand-in skipper Chris Hartley (33).
Marsh - dropped from the national side ahead of the second Test in Hobart - missed last week's Shield clash due to a shoulder injury.
However, he still earned selection in the Australian one-day squad for next month's three-game series against New Zealand along with Warriors teammate Hilton Cartwright.
Allrounder Cartwright had 0-32 by stumps on day one.
WA are without their Test stars, batsmen Adam Voges (concussion) and Shaun Marsh (broken thumb), for the inaugural Shield clash in Townsville.
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