Victorian batsman Marcus Harris has demanded Ashes selection after a sparkling century on day one of the Sheffield Shield final against NSW at Junction Oval in St Kilda.
Scoring a patient 141 from 229 balls, Harris was the only batter to pass 35 as Victoria reached stumps on 6/266.
Harris – who finished the regular season as the competition's most prolific batsman with 1024 runs at 68.28 – has now plundered three tons in Shield finals.
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He scored 158 not out when playing for Western Australia in the 2014/15 decider before notching 120 in Victoria's 2016/17 triumph.
After offering two chances during his innings – on 71 and 121 – the Test incumbent was finally caught by Trent Copeland off NSW allrounder Sean Abbott on Thursday after 80.3 overs in the middle.
The performance was Harris' 11th first class hundred and his third of the Shield season. He also hit two 90s.
Harris made his Test debut over the summer, striking two fifties at an average of 32.70.
The 26-year-old is in a three-way tussle for an opening spot in the Ashes, with the returning David Warner and Joe Burns also in the frame.
Warner's international record speaks for itself while Burns whacked 180 in Australia's most recent Test against Sri Lanka.
Former national coach Darren Lehmann believes the trio are all certainties to make the Ashes squad, with tour matches to be crucial in deciding who plays in the first Test.
“He’s in,” Lehmann said in commentary for Fox Cricket. “He’s going [to England].
“Joe Burns who made a century last time, David Warner – they’re all there.”
Harris was coy on his chances of being picked in the final XI earlier this week.
“Obviously someone will miss out,” Harris said.
“There are only two spots at the top of the order and I dare say Davey Warner has probably got one of them.
“It will be a tight squeeze but it is what it is … I think whoever is making runs will take that position."
Meanwhile, Victorian batting prodigy Will Pucovski could only manage 17, while Travis Dean (23) and Matt Short (34) also failed to kick on with starts.
Seb Gotch (2) and Cameron White (7) were dismissed for single figures.
Bowlers James Pattinson (11*) and Chris Tremain (13*) navigated through to the end of play.
NSW quicks Copeland (2/61) and Abbott (2/77) led the Blues' bowling attack.
2015 – 158*✅
— Sporting News Australia (@sportingnewsau) March 28, 2019
2017 – 120 ✅
2019 – 141 ✅
Marcus Harris absolutely owns Sheffield Shield finals. pic.twitter.com/vRRdiYD7H5
NO-BALL CONTROVERSY COULD FORCE RULE CHANGE
Gotch was caught by Jack Edwards at third slip from the bowling of Copeland but replays showed standing umpire Paul Wilson missed a huge no-ball from the NSW paceman.
While vision was freely available with Fox Cricket broadcasting the match, the third umpire was unable to overturn the on-field decision due to the current rules in place.
Said a Cricket Australia spokesperson: "There are no provisions for match officials to review on-field decisions for the JLT Sheffield Shield in the Cricket Australia Playing Conditions.
"This incident will be followed up in Cricket Australia's general match review process and feedback will of course be taken on board."
A big moment in the #ShieldFinal? @JLT_AUS pic.twitter.com/l88z0tnfp3
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 28, 2019
There is no third umpire in regular season Shield fixtures because side-on cameras aren't in place.
For the Shield final, the third umpire is able to make calls on run-outs, stumpings and dubious catches referred upstairs by the on-field officials.