Shaun Marsh's push for an Ashes recall picked up more momentum with a sixth consecutive half century in Western Australia's 11-run rain-affected one-day domestic cup win over Queensland.
Marsh's rare vein of form continued alongside century-maker Michael Klinger (128) at Sydney's Drummoyne Oval on Wednesday, as an opening stand of 141 kept the unbeaten Warriors atop the tournament's ladder.
After the Warriors posted 3-301 in their 41-over innings, they survived a late scare when Michael Neser whacked 122 from just 81 balls to put the Bulls within touching distance of an unlikely victory.
But when he was narrowly run out in the last over with 19 runs required from four balls, the Bulls' chase was virtually over after they had earlier required 13 an over with 12 overs to play.
Fellow Australian hopeful Usman Khawaja also starred for the Bulls, hitting 81 off 78 as he saw off an early-innings collapse of 3-10 and began fifth-placed Queensland's late revival.
It marked Khawaja's second score of 80-plus in as many innings, just a month after he was dropped by Australian selectors after the first Test loss in Bangladesh.
But no player has pushed their Australian hopes like leading run-scorer Marsh in the one-day tournament.
His 69 on Wednesday means he has now amassed 351 runs at an average of 117 for the tournament, having hit a century and two other half-centuries leading into Wednesday's clash.
He also struck scores of 78 and 125 not out in his final two knocks for Yorkshire in the English County season last month.
Marsh batted in Australia's middle order in their 2-1 series loss to India earlier this year, but has since been dumped from the national team's contract list and was not taken to Bangladesh for the most recent Test series.
Cameron Bancroft also struck 73 from 47 balls in a 144-run second-wicket partnership off just 85 balls with Klinger, while young quick MAtthew Kelly took 4-25 to rip through Queensland's top order for the Warriors.
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