Victorian Peter Handscomb has given other uncapped contenders for a Test batting spot plenty to chase and he may not have finished yet.
Handscomb was already being talked about as a chance for the third Test in Adelaide before the current round of Sheffield Shield matches,
That chatter is sure to increase after he scored an unbeaten 110 on Thursday against a NSW attack which included four past and present Test bowlers in quicks Doug Bollinger and Trent Copeland and spinners Nathan Lyon and Steve O'Keefe.
"I think he's a very talented player and I wouldn't be surprised at some stage if he ends up playing for Australia," O'Keefe said of Handscomb.
His timely ton was watched by national selector Mark Waugh, who Handscomb said had also seen him score a previous century..
Multiple Test spots, especially in Australia's frequently failing batting order, could be up for grabs after Australia's five-match losing streak, but Handscomb entered the game trying not to contemplate the consequences of his batting.
"Trying not to think about it to be perfectly honest," Handscomb said.
"My job in these four days is to win the game for Victoria and make sure I do everything I can for Victoria.
"If anything else happens then happy days, but if it doesn't it's perfectly fine."
Handscomb has the chance to add to his score on Friday when he resumes a 225-run third-wicket stand with opener Travis Dean (134), with Victoria on 2-292.
Other Test contenders will also want to take advantage of a flat SCG wicket.
Former Test allrounder Glenn Maxwell and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade have still to bat for the Bushrangers.
Blues batsmen Nic Maddinson and Kurtis Patterson will both be keen to push for a first Test cap, though the former has played two T20 internationals.
Lyon and O'Keefe, frontline contenders for Test spinning spots in Adelaide got little joy on Thursday, between them, taking 1-153 from 52 overs.
"It was a bit of a grind," O'Keefe said.
"But there's s a few footmarks out there and I think as the game wears on there will be an opportunity for spinners to get in the game for sure,."
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