Test aspirant Cameron Bancroft has a century in his sights after finally regaining form in Western Australia's Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland in Townsville.
At stumps on day two at Tony Ireland Stadium, the Warriors are 3-186 in reply to the Bulls' 422 first dig with Bancroft unbeaten on 88.
But WA's axed Test allrounder Mitch Marsh failed again with the bat, caught behind for a freewheeling 14.
And Warriors quick Jason Behrendorff looks set to miss the rest of the match after suffering a leg stress fracture.
Warriors opener Bancroft, 24, played a patient hand on Sunday, hitting just six fours in his 198 ball knock.
It was a welcome return to form.
Backed publicly by Steve Waugh just last month for a Test debut, Bancroft had failed to fire in the Shield this season - until now.
His knock on Sunday more than doubled his Shield tally for the season.
Bancroft had made just 78 runs in his six previous Shield knocks.
The closest Bancroft has got to a baggy green was being selected for Australia's abandoned 2015 Bangladesh tour.
However, he has played a sole Twenty20 international against India in January - as a wicketkeeper.
Bancroft shared an 85-run opening stand with Jon Wells (46).
He has also put together 71 runs for the fourth wicket with recent Australian one-day bolter Hilton Cartwright (26 not out).
Queensland leg-spinner Mitch Swepson took 2-58, claiming the prized scalps of Johnathan Wells and WA skipper Michael Klinger (nine).
Earlier, allrounders Jack Wildermuth (93) and Michael Neser (68) helped Queensland reach a daunting first innings total.
The Bulls resumed on Sunday at 6-327.
Queensland's total also featured half centuries for dumped Test opener Joe Burns (68) and Marnus Labuschagne (79).
Simon Mackin took 3-100 for WA while Marsh finished with 2-74.
The Warriors were a bowler down after strike left-armer Behrendorff was sidelined on Sunday.
"Scans have shown Jason Behrendorff has a stress fracture in his left fibula & at this stage won't play any further part in game," WACA tweeted on Sunday.
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