After a decade of being neglected, frustrated Queenslander Chris Hartley isn’t sure what national selectors will make of his highest first-class score.

Hartley’s unbeaten 142 underpinned Queensland’s 8(dec)-443 against South Australia in their Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval.

In reply, the Redbacks were 2-207 at stumps on Saturday’s second day.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Hartley’s timing was superb – not just with the bat, but given Test gloveman Brad Haddin’s shoulder injury.

“As a wicketkeeper, there is only one spot. So when someone has got it nailed down, it can make it feel like there aren’t any opportunities,” Hartley said.

“But you’re only ever one injury away, one bit of bad luck away, so it’s always in the back of your mind.”

Hartley admits frustration at being ignored by national selectors for so long.

The 32-year-old has long been considered among the best, if not the best, glovemen in the country. And now he has eight first-class tons.

Hartley has plundered 640 runs at an average of 80 for the Bulls in all cricket this season, and was equal second-highest scorer in the domestic one-day competition.

Yet when selectors opted to rest Haddin from looming limited overs internationals against South Africa, they plumped for Victorian Matthew Wade, who averaged 16 and was 37th on the tournament’s run-scorer’s list.

“My performances in the past few years have warranted selection at the next level. The opportunities just haven’t been there in terms of timing,” Hartley said.

“That frustrates you because a goal of mine is to play for Australia.

“In saying that, the best way to turn that frustration around is to use it as motivation to keep putting performances on the board.”

Hartley has remodelled his batting, broadening his stroke play after being pigeon-holed as an accumulator – and he just wants national selectors to take notice.

“One thing they have said is that they’re pretty aware of what I can do,” he said.

“I guess what I’d like is to have an opportunity now to show them those areas that I have improved.

“The last time I played at the higher level, a tour match in 2009 and then going back a fair way playing Australia A – my game has evolved and changed a lot since then.

“So I’d like to go out there and show them that I can do it not just at this level, but the next level.”