Usman Khawaja has all but booked his spot to South Africa with a fighting 91 not out on the second day of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney.
Khawaja came to the crease under pressure having averaged 27 in the first four Tests and failing to compile a score above 53 ahead of March's four-Test tour of South Africa.
But on Friday he provided the backbone of the Australian innings after opener Cameron Bancroft fell early, fighting resolutely through 204 balls as the hosts went to stumps at 2-193 in response to England's 346.
The 31-year-old is now just nine runs from a drought-breaking hundred and what will be his first since the pink-ball Adelaide Test against South Africa in November 2016.
The knock was easily the most convincing of his summer, as he threatened to finally go on with a start after having twice posted half-centuries previously.
"We know how well he has been hitting all summer, he just hasn't got that big score that has got him away," Australia quick Pat Cummins said.
"Even leading into the Ashes every time he goes back and gets the chance to play state cricket (for Queensland) he is always a class above and puts himself in great form for the summer.
"There are absolutely no worries about him and just great to see him get some runs on his old home ground."
Known for his struggles against the spinning ball, Khawaja was subjected to England's slower bowlers from shortly after his innings began in the second over.
At times, he was forced to fight hard to survive but later capitalised as he built an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 107 with Steve Smith.
He brought up his 50 when he jumped down the deck and hit Moeen Ali over his head for six in the evening session and repeated the dose for another four off debutant legspinner Mason Crane.
"His play against the spin today was really good, he used his feet and I even saw him play the reverse sweep at one stage today," Cummins said.
"He's always evolving but just looks like he knows his game really well."
Khawaja had threatened to become a home ground specialist after he was dropped in both India and Bangladesh this year but South African wickets are known for their similarities to Australian decks.
He has played just one Test there for scores of 12 and 65 in 2011 but averages 58.56 on the equally hard Australian wickets.
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