Ben Dunk and Jackson Bird have made a case that they are ready to resume their international careers after leading Tasmania to a drought-breaking 223-run Sheffield Shield win over NSW.
Dunk was dominant with the bat - top-scoring with 68 in the Tigers' first dig before blasting an unbeaten 143 in the second innings to set up his side's win.
After hitting his second first-class ton in as many matches, he sits atop the Shield run-scorers' list with 389 from three matches.
With Australian selector Mark Waugh taking notes in the stands at Sydney's Bankstown Oval, he made a strong claim that he was more than a short-form specialist and ready to add to his three international T20 appearances.
He was dominant in a knock that lasted more than six hours, stretched over two days and included 18 fours, to help Tasmania to 7(dec)-313 and set NSW a target of 394 that proved too big.
The Tigers' bowling unit, led by Bird who was consistent with his line and length, skittled the Blues for just 170.
NSW lost four wickets for nine runs at one point as they crumbled in the second session of the fourth day with only opener Ryan Carters (77) providing any resistance.
Hamish Kingston (4-61) was outstanding after being called in for his first Shield game of the season, finishing with seven wickets for the match while Bird claimed match figures of 5-72.
Bird played three Tests for Australia in 2012-13 but had been troubled by a series of stress fractures in his back for the past few years.
Tasmanian coach Dan Marsh said the 28-year-old was starting to get back to the sort of form that earned him a baggy green and expected him to continue taking wickets.
"I think he's back to where he was when he was selected for Australia," Marsh said.
"He's had some injuries over the last two years but he's overcome them and bowling really well.
"Going forward, if he did get selected for Australia, he wouldn't let anyone down."
For the Tigers, the result represented a monkey off their back after losing their previous seven Shield games including the first two of this season.
The Blues will be bitterly disappointed after sinking to one win from three games, in the wake of their clash with Victoria being abandoned and the Bushrangers awarded the full six points.
"It was a wicket where you could score runs if you batted well and Ben Dunk was the best example of that," Carters said.
"He batted well in both innings across this game.
"At the same time, the ball was shooting through at stump height. The bowlers, if they bowled well, were a good chance of getting lbws."
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