David Warner showed why he must be rushed back for Australia's Ashes rescue mission, delivering the big hundred selectors have been demanding from their underperforming batsmen.
Warner appears set for a recall for the must-win third Test at Old Trafford next week, after smashing 193 from 226 balls for Australia A against South Africa A in Pretoria.
Coach Darren Lehmann has lamented the inability of batsmen to go on and make big scores as the reason why England hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
Ian Bell and Joe Root have made match-defining tons for England in the opening two encounters, while Ashton Agar remains Australia's top scorer with 98 batting at No.11.
Coming in at No.4, Warner threw out the gauntlet to the rest of the Australian batsmen, smashing 29 fours and a six in his five and a half hours at the crease.
An incredible 122 of his 193 runs came in boundaries.
There will be huge pressure on batsmen in Australia's tour match against Sussex at Hove, starting on Friday, to score runs and justify their place for Manchester.
Warner was dropped for the first two Tests because he had missed more than a month of cricket due to his suspension over a nightclub punch thrown at England rival Root.
He was sent to Africa to get time in the middle, but was out for six and 11 in the opening Australia A match against a Zimbabwe XI.
However, Warner made it count against a South African team boasting an attack comprising Proteas' in waiting, including red hot quick Marchant de Lange.
The 26-year-old Warner will bat at No.6 if he returns to the Australian set-up.
It's thought Warner could be a sensation converting from opener to middle-order batsman.
He's scored three Test centuries in his 19 matches opening the innings, but the explosive performances were too regularly littered with streaky dismissals for not many.
However, batting at No.6, Warner won't have to face a new ball all the time, and will have more freedom to play what he sees.
Warner has already stated he'd love to become the new Mike Hussey of the middle order.
In Australia's match against Sussex, 20-year-old Ashton Turner will make his first-class debut in highly unusual circumstances.
Turner is yet to play Sheffield Shield cricket for Western Australia, but he's been in Hampshire on an AIS scholarship program and will run out of the Australian dressing room.
Now Australia have another young spinner named Ashton.
It makes three spinners in total for Hove (Turner, Agar and Nathan Lyon), however not too much should be read into the odd team formation.
Australia simply ran out of troops with captain Michael Clarke resting his sore back and Brad Haddin also given a spell.
The fast bowling battle between Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird and James Faulkner will be most intriguing.
In all likelihood, the trio are vying for one vacant position in the Australian attack for Old Trafford.
Ed Cowan will captain Australia on Friday.
Australian team to play Sussex: Ed Cowan (capt), Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, Ashton Agar, Ashton Turner, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.
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