Shaun Marsh proved his fitness for Test selection but was disappointed not to reach triple figures on the opening day of Western Australia's Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the WACA Ground.
Less than two weeks after suffering a tear to his hamstring, the 33-year-old opened the batting for WA on Tuesday in the day-night clash in Perth and looked in good form making 73 in an innings that included nine boundaries.
He showed no signs of discomfort with the hamstring, proving he's ready to go if selected for Australia for the first Test against South Africa starting next week, also in Perth.
Marsh does have the inside running having scored a century in Australia's last Test - the third match of the horror Sri Lankan tour - and he made an impressive 70 in the one-day cup in mid-October when he suffered the hamstring tear.
But he always felt he had to play the opening Shield match of the season to be a chance of opening the series against the Proteas on his home deck starting next Wednesday.
"I think I had to play this game. I didn't ask too many questions but I was guessing that was the feeling," Marsh said.
"I worked pretty hard over the last couple of days to get right and thankfully... I got through the first day which I'm happy about.
"I ran pretty much to my maximum speed and even though the physio wasn't too keen for me to do that, you get out there and instinct takes over."
Despite his history of hamstring troubles, it was his first injury to the area in over three years.
The 18-Test veteran's only irritation was not pushing on to what would've been his 20th first-class century.
"It was nice. Obviously I was disappointed with my shot after doing all the hard work early doors," said Marsh, who was caught and bowled by off-spinner Travis Head.
"Generally, my feet were moving pretty good so hopefully next time I can cash in on it. It was nice to get some runs but it would have been nice to get a hundred."
