Hartley has cricket selectors in sights

Queensland captain Chris Hartley has history - and national selectors - in his sights after starring on day two of the Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania.

Tasmanian batsman George Bailey

George Bailey has helped Tasmania regroup after stumbling in their run chase against Queensland. (AAP)

First, Queensland captain Chris Hartley had Sheffield Shield history in his sights.

Now, it's the national selectors.

The Bulls' wicketkeeper admitted he no longer knew what was required to earn an Australian call-up despite entering the Shield record books on Thursday.

The veteran was the day-two star of the Shield clash with Tasmania at the Gabba, striking an unbeaten 102 before declaring Queensland's first innings at 9-405.

Then came the highlight.

Hartley equalled Darren Berry's Shield record of 546 wicketkeeper dismissals when he snapped up Jordan Silk for 15 off Cameron Gannon (1-18).

At stumps, Tasmania were 4-113, trailing Queensland by 292 runs.

"It's a big honour to be able to sit on top of the tree like that," Hartley said of equalling Berry's mark.

But, Hartley was not so complimentary about national selectors.

At 34, the closest Hartley has come to a baggy green is a 2009 Ashes tour match as a last-minute injury replacement, despite being considered one of the country's finest glovemen.

But Hartley said he was not holding his breath for a call-up even though an injury cloud hovered over Test 'keeper Matthew Wade (back) ahead of the demanding tour of India.

In what seemed to echo Cameron White's well-documented sentiments, Hartley said recent national selections had left him wondering what was required to break into the team.

White had complained that Australia resembled a "development team", rewarding Big Bash League players on a "hunch" and not looking at Shield or one-day form.

"Never say never because that's the nature of the game," Hartley said of an Australian call-up.

"But players are pretty unsure of what is required to get picked these days, I guess.

"Putting runs on the board and taking wickets should give you the best opportunity - whether you get one maybe is a different story."

Hartley seemed to mock the wisdom of taking just one keeper to India this month, the recovering Wade.

"I saw they are not interested in taking a back-up wicketkeeper to India - the hardest place for a wicketkeeper to go," Hartley said.

"We are happy to just take the one and he has an injury cloud over him."

Hartley will look to create history of his own on Friday when Tasmania resume.

George Bailey (36no) has helped Tasmania regroup with an unbeaten 45-run fifth-wicket stand with Dom Michael (27no).

Queensland resumed on Thursday at 6-251, with Hartley not out 31, after winning the toss.

Hartley's 200-ball knock lasted almost five hours and included nine fours and one six.

It was his 10th first class ton and first of the Shield season in his return from a broken finger that sidelined him for the entire BBL summer.


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Source: AAP



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