Matthew Wade gave national selectors more food for thought while Cameron Green made a successful return to bowling as Tasmania held the edge in their Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia.
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Wade, playing in his first Shield game of the season, hit a timely 83 to help the Tigers to 5-273 at stumps on day two chasing WA's 302.
With contenders lining up for national spots across the summer, Wade was clearly keen to stay in the selection frame for all formats and was relatively restrained in a sometimes scratchy 159-ball (8 fours, 1 six) knock.
Batting at No.3, the Test incumbent was well supported in a 135-run partnership with Ben McDermott (83 not out) before he was stumped by Josh Inglis off the bowling of Ashton Agar (1-46).
Wade said he was happy with his form and didn't feel like he was batting for a position in the national team.
"I've played the last 10 matches in a row, I did reasonably well last summer and obviously in the Ashes. I'm comfortable I'll be playing in the Test series," he said.
"Guys are scoring big runs now but it seems to happen every year ... you can kind of roll those articles on and just change the names.
"I understand that we've got to build the Test series up and there is always scrutiny around positions but for me I'm pretty used to it ... I think I'll be playing for Australia come summer time."
Earlier on Saturday, outstanding young talent Green picked up a wicket in just his third over, having Jordan Silk (17) caught off a rising delivery in the gully.
Recently selected primarily as a batsman in his first senior Australian squad to play India in limited overs formats next month, the allrounder hadn't bowled in a year because of back problems.
Eased back into action with the ball, Green bowled eight overs for the day and finished with a commendable 1-15.
Charlie Wakim (43) was the first batsman to go on Saturday, caught behind by Josh Inglis off the bowling of Aaron Hardie (2-43).
Hardie had his second wicket when Jake Doran (12) was caught at short extra cover by Cameron Bancroft while Australian captain Tim Paine (12) was bowled by Lance Morris just before stumps.
Australian Associated Press