Cameron Green has made a compelling statement in his quest for a recall to Austalia's Test team with a scintillating Sheffield Shield innings of 96 for Western Australia.
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Coming in at No.4, the 24-year-old allrounder struck 15 boundaries, plus a six off Queensland spinner Mitchell Swepson, in an innings that was all class at the Gabba.
Green decided to sit out the BBL season to focus on red-ball cricket and in attempt to win back the national team place he lost to state teammate Mitchell Marsh for this year's Ashes tour.
He could not have made a stronger case for reinstatement in a 170-run partnership with centurion Hilton Cartwright (132) that took Western Australia from a precarious 3-29 to 330 all out at stumps on day three, in response to the Bulls' first innings of 8d-274.
Green's cover and straight driving was of the highest standard and it came as a surprise when he was well caught by Michael Neser in the gully just after tea.
Even if Green does not displace Marsh for December's first Test against Pakistan in Perth, Australia's chairman of selectors George Bailey indicated on SEN Radio this week there could be an option to play Marsh alongside Green once David Warner retires after the New Year's Test in Sydney.
The widely accepted view was that one of Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw or Marcus Harris would replace Warner, but Bailey suggested Marnus Labuschagne could be moved up to open.
That could pave the way for Green and Marsh to bat in the same order.
Bancroft, bowled by Jack Wildermuth for seven, was unable to add to his impressive season's haul when he was out early on day three in Brisbane.
Cartwright was in great touch for his eighth first-class century and unleashed after negotiating some quality seam bowling.
The 31-year-old displayed the poise and shot-making ability that led to him playing two Tests for Australia in 2017.
Mark Steketee (4-50) and Gurinder Sandhu (5-77) collected the bulk of the wickets for Queensland.
With one day remaining the match is likely to end in a draw, but after taking a 56-run first-innings lead Western Australia are a chance of making it interesting if they can snare early wickets on Friday.
Australian Associated Press
