Ed Cowan sent a message to Australia’s selectors as the opener marked his County Championship debut for Gloucestershire with a century on the second day against Essex at Cheltenham on Thursday.
With Australian batsmen enduring a torrid time during their recent 4-0 thrashing in the one-day international series against England, Cowan gave a timely reminder of his red-ball wares.
Cowan adapted to the English conditions with aplomb and underlined his Ashes credentials with an innings of 103 to help Gloucestershire reach 4-284 in the ongoing clash.
Cowan was denied a central contract when Australian selectors announced their 17-man list last month, but he looks determined to prove them wrong and the 30-year-old Tasmania left-hander will have another chance to impress when he leads Australia A against the England Lions next month.
Cowan batted for five-and-a-half hours on a tricky pitch, facing 268 balls including a six and 12 fours, and shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 104 with New Zealand’s Hamish Marshall.
Resuming on his overnight score of 51 not out, Cowan added just 31 from 100 balls during an attritional morning session.
But Cowan moved swiftly to three figures after lunch, straight-driving seamer Reece Topley for four and then easing a full-length ball from David Masters through the covers in the next over to register his maiden championship hundred.
Masters finally ended Cowan’s resistance when he trapped him on the front foot moments later.