The late Phillip Hughes was in Travis Head's thoughts as he scored his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka.
Head's brilliant 161 on Friday's opening day of the second Test in Canberra made him the first South Australian to score a Test century since fast-bowling great Jason Gillespie's 2006 double ton.
It was an emotional knock for the 25-year-old Head, who played with Hughes after his switch in 2012 from NSW to South Australia.
"(It was dedicated) to a few and Hughesy (Phil Hughes) as well. It was a little bit emotional, to be honest," Head told SEN radio after play.
"It was a really good occasion to be out there with Burnsy (Joe Burns) who got a hundred and to get one myself and put us in a really good position."
Not only did Head's innings cement his long-term future in the Australian team, he broke a drought for his state at Test level.
Gillespie's unbeaten 201 as a nightwatchman against Bangladesh almost 13 years ago is still looked back on as one of Test cricket's most bizarre and memorable moments.
Despite having a higher Test score than many accomplished Australian batsmen, it was the final match of tailender Gillespie's international career.
After Burns brought up Australia's first Test century of the summer just before tea on Friday afternoon, Head went to three figures early in the final session.
The left-hander's innings, which included 21 fours and one six, came in his eighth Test after four half-centuries.
It followed up an impressive 84 during the first Test in Brisbane batting under lights against a pink ball.
After passing his milestone, Head went about smashing the Sri Lankan attack to all parts of the ground and he raced from 100 to 150 in only 38 balls.
Burns said he could see how much the innings meant to Head.
"I just wanted to hug him as hard as I could for a long as I could. Just to be batting with him was really enjoyable," Burns told reporters.
Head's innings was not without drama as he was dropped at gully by Dilruwan Perera when he was on 87.
He was dropped again after passing 150 before being trapped lbw by Vishwa Fernando.
Aside from some nervous moments approaching his century, the No.5's knock was assured and highlighted by some classy cut shots.
The innings will silence some critics who had questioned Australia's decision to promote Head to vice-captain before the opening Test at the Gabba.
He came to the crease with Australia at a perilous 3-28, but Head and Burns compiled the team's best partnership (308) of the summer.
After Sri Lanka's understrength pace attack had the ball swinging during the first hour, Head looked settled at the crease almost immediately.
