Canberra export Henry Hunt stars for South Australia in Sheffield Shield

So much so that the South Australian batsman hopes it settles down the next time he scores a first class century - "if I get there".

Hunt posted his maiden first class century for South Australia in tense Sheffield Shield draw with Tasmania at Adelaide Oval this week.

The Queanbeyan product posted 132 from 249 balls at the top of the order and backed it up with 69 (70) in the second innings - but Tasmania held on for a draw with two wickets in hand at stumps on the final day.

A 293-run stand in the first dig alongside Jake Weatherald has seen the pair etch their names into the history books with the biggest opening partnership in South Australia's history.

It eclipses the mark of 281 set by Les Favell and John Causby in 1967 - not bad for a 22-year-old playing his fourth first class game.

Hunt had the words of Tim Nielsen ringing in his ears each team he looked up from the crease - play the ball, not the bowler. Handy advice given he has already been thrown to Test bowlers in his career's infancy.

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"It's obviously tougher than the second XI stuff I have played before, so it was just nice to settle in and enjoy myself out there," Hunt said.

"I loved every minute of it out there in the middle, batting with Weathers. It was a pretty good partnership we put on, so it was good fun.

"It was a nice track to bat on. My game plan is there, I'm just trying to compete as much as I can and learn as much as I can as quickly as I can.

"I think it's starting to show with a few results, all the hard work that has gone into it. It is nice to get a performance like that after four games. In terms of finding my feet, I think I have but it's a tough grind.

"You're obviously facing a lot better bowlers, more skilful bowlers than in second XI, but I'm learning along the way."

Hunt was lured to South Australia on a rookie contract this season after registering 737 runs at an average of 46.06 for the ACT/NSW Country Comets in the then-Futures League last summer.

He is among a growing list of Canberra exports finding their way into state squads with nine former ACT premier cricketers earning contracts around the country.

Joining Hunt in South Australia is fast bowler Nick Winter, who finished with figures of 0-50 and 2-41 on the batsman friendly Adelaide Oval deck against Tasmania, and batsman Alex Ross.

Tom Rogers and Mac Wright have joined forces in Tasmania again while Aaron Ayre is in Victoria and international quick Jason Behrendorff is with Western Australia.

Established star Nathan Lyon is on a Cricket Australia contract and joins the NSW squad with another Western District export making his way up the ranks at the Blues.

Matt Gilkes earned a rookie contract this summer and soon found himself sharing a dressing room with the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Lyon.

"From playing grade cricket in Canberra and Sydney, now to here, everything is just going along smoothly," Hunt said.

"I'm just trying to enjoy my cricket as much as I can. Whilst I'm enjoying it, I'm scoring runs, which at the moment is working. I just want to keep that tempo and that mindset."

The Blues have rocketed ahead of the competition with four consecutive wins to start their Shield campaign while Hunt's Redbacks sit fifth in search of a breakthrough victory.