Test batsman Adam Voges has warmed up for next week's start of the two-match series against the Black Caps with a patient half-century on day two of Western Australia's Sheffield Shield clash with NSW in New Zealand.
The Warriors finished on 4-194 in their first innings at stumps on Thursday's second day, still 208 runs behind the Blues' total of 402 with Voges unbeaten on 58 and looking set for a big score.
Nightwatchman David Moody is yet to get off the mark.
Just a day after Australia's ODI batsmen were shredded by the Kiwi seamers at Eden Park, Voges' well-earned knock will give selectors some relief ahead of the first Test starting on Friday week (Feb 12).
He belted 15 runs off his first 13 balls before slowing down, taking another 113 to get his next 43 but will need to kick on to help WA secure first-innings points.
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Former Test paceman Trent Copeland made a successful return from serious injury, having missed the entire 2014-15 season with stress fractures in his foot.
The 29-year-old claimed the key scalps of Warriors openers Cameron Bancroft (45) and William Bosisto (11), finishing the day with figures of 2-58 off 19 overs.
"It's been a long road back, but the time out of the game does nothing else than make you miss it and realise how good it is playing at this level," he said.
"To take that first wicket today, the lbw, just made me realise how hard I've worked. But also it gives you a little bit of a leg-up to say it was definitely worth it."
The Blues had earlier been dismissed for 402 in the first session, adding an extra 109 to their overnight score with bowlers Sean Abbott (49) and Gurinder Sandhu (35) making handy contributions.
Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill typified Australia's struggles with the swinging delivery when bowled by a Michael Hogan inswinger for 28.
A huge gap was spotted between his bat and pad before he played on for Hogan's 200th Shield wicket.
"It probably seemed a bit far fetched - even to play one first-class game was a privilege. To get this far, I'm quite happy with," Hogan said.
Twenty-year-old quick David Moody (3-91) was the pick of a record seven Warriors bowlers to take wickets.
In response, all of the Warriors' top five made starts - Bancroft, Michael Klinger (37) and Ashton Turner (38) all settled in but were unable to post a big score.
Test offspinner Nathan Lyon claimed the late wicket of Turner to finish with 1-54 off 18 overs with six maidens.
