A fine Matt Renshaw century in the current round of Sheffield Shield matches has cast new doubts over the make-up of the Australian Ashes squad to face England in the first Test.
After weathering a difficult first hour at the WACA Ground in Perth, the Queenslander registered his second first-class century of the season from just three innings, finishing with an impressive 101 that, significantly, included a 103-run partnership with recalled Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne.
Renshaw’s innings included eight fours and two sixes.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country the man who was selected ahead of Renshaw in the first Test squad, Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald, failed to cash in on two solid starts against South Australia, falling for 30 and 23.
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Looking to impress the national selectors ahead of a potential Test debut in Perth, Weatherald played aggressively in both innings with five boundaries in the first innings followed by another six in the second.
However worryingly for an opener leading into a Test series likely to be defined by pace bowling, the 31-year-old was bowled on both occasions by South Australian right-armer, Liam Scott.
In other pre-Ashes news, Western Australia all-rounder Cameron Green made a successful return to the bowling crease against Queensland, taking 1-13 from his eight overs at the WACA.