Australia declared their first innings just an hour into day two of their tour match against Worcestershire, with middle-order batsman Steve Smith sending a timely reminder to selectors ahead of the first Test.
Smith raced to 68 not out on Wednesday when the Australians declared their innings at 4-396 in the 98th over.
At lunch, Worcestershire were none for 36 after 14 overs – with Ashes hopefuls Ryan Harris and Jackson Bird unsuccessful with their opening spells.
With James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc assured of playing in the opening Ashes Test on July 10, it would appear Harris and Bird need big performances to usurp Peter Siddle for the third spot in the attack.
Smith could well be in a two-way battle with David Warner for the No.6 batting position for Trent Bridge.
But while Warner has been restricted to net sessions due to his suspension, Smith has scored two hundreds on the Australia A tour and has been touted by national selector John Inverarity as a future leader.
Smith was 21no from 42 balls at stumps on day one.
But he exploded out of the blocks on the second day, scoring at nearly a run-a-ball to ensure Australia advanced rapidly from their overnight score of 4-340.
Smith brought up his 50 with one of two towering sixes, and also smashed 10 boundaries.
Phil Hughes was the other unbeaten batsman on 19, but didn’t see much of the strike on Wednesday, adding just nine runs to his overnight score.
Tour match form suggests Hughes has locked up the No.5 position for the first Test.
Smith was only included in the Ashes squad the day before the squad came together last week, but is shaping as a genuine contender to play in the first of five Tests.
The 24-year-old wasn’t expected to play on the tour of India earlier in the year, but when he got an opportunity in the third Test he stood up in incredibly difficult circumstances to post his highest Test score of 92.
Smith’s technique has improved greatly since his debut Ashes Tests in the Australian summer of 2010-11.
He has brilliant hand-eye-coordination and great wrists, and is particularly strong through cover and down the ground.