After Darren Lehmann and selectors put Australian players on notice following two poor Test losses to South Africa, Test hopefuls were out to state their case as the third Round of Sheffield Shield action got underway on Thursday.
Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja represented Queensland and had quite differing first innings' against South Australia, while a pair of Victorians lit up the SCG.
Queensland v South Australia
Unfortunately for Joe Burns it looks as though his short stint in the Test team is over, after posting just four against the Redbacks in on the opening day.
Burns flicked a shot through to the wicketkeeper down leg side, the exact same way that he was given out in the second innings of the second Test in Hobart last week.
Usman Khawaja had no such troubles however, as the left hander scored 106 in a fantastic innings.
Khawaja wasn't one of the four that Lehmann named as safe for Adelaide but was considered by many as the next safest player, so this century should all but cement a spot in the third Test for the Queenslander.
Matt Renshaw joined Khawaja in triple figures with a 202-ball 108, making that his third century in just his second season with the Bulls.
At just 20 years of age Renshaw's resilience at the crease would have selectors surely taking notice, so it seems as though the young opener has thrown his name into the ring.
For South Australia, bowler Chadd Sayers took 0-65 of 25 overs, as the paceman is looking to earn a Test debut next week.
Western Australia v Tasmania
Adam Voges was struck in the head and suffered concussion during the opening day, and had to retire hurt on 16*.
The 37-year-old was trying to keep his spot in the Test side following a poor run of form recently, but this unlucky turn of events won't do Voges any good.
Ashton Turner smashed his maiden Shield ton during the Warriors' innings on Thursday, scoring 110 of 144 balls.
Turner was WA's lone ranger is a side that fell for 262, as Test bowling hopeful Jackson Bird took 2-60 off 18 overs.
New South Wales v Victoria
One of the most talked about players since the end of the second Test posted an unbeaten century on day one as he boosted his Test chances in a big way.
Peter Handscomb's 110* may have well been enough to see him get his first baggy green, as Victoria are in complete control after the opening day.
Handscomb will resume alongside opener Travis Dean who also hit triple figures with an unbeaten 134 off 274.
Blues spinners Nathan Lyon and Steve O'Keefe are supposedly vying for the one slow-bowling position, although both struggled against the Bushrangers on day one.
Lyon returned figures of 0-88 from 27 overs, while O'Keefe took the wicket of Marcus Stoinis to finish with 1-65 off 25.0.
