James Faulkner batted his way directly to the front of national selectors’ minds with his maiden one-day ton on Saturday.

His devastating 116 in the series decider in Bangalore was not only the fastest ODI century by an Australian – it was his first ton in first-class or list A cricket.

But the rising allrounder gave himself no time to think about the remarkable feat he’d put together.

“It’s great to get 100s. I love getting 50s. I love getting five-fors,” Faulkner told AAP after the match.

“But I play cricket to win games for my teammates and because I love that camaraderie that comes with playing a team sport.

“It doesn’t matter if you get a 100, a five-for or a duck – if you win, that’s the goal we’re all trying to achieve as a team.

“We came (to India) to win a series, and we didn’t do that.”

That single-minded attitude is exactly what makes Faulkner the ideal teammate and adds another string to his bow as a Test candidate.

In a time when the culture of the Australian team is under constant fire from ex-players worried about the direction the team is taking, no one can question where Faulkner’s priorities lie.

From time to time, he admits, his unforgiving style of play can make him look silly.

But if it’s for his teammates, he hasn’t a care in the world.

“I think you’ve always got to have self belief and a bit of confidence,” he said.

“At times you might look a bit arrogant but most of the players who have been really good in world cricket have that sort of flair and that approach to the game.

“That’s one of the things I’ve got and I suppose sometimes you can look a bit silly but that’s just the way I play the game.”

A hamstring injury to Shane Watson, the severity of which is being eagerly awaited by a nervous selection panel, could open the door for Faulkner to feature in the Ashes this summer.

But should Watson’s ailment not be serious there could easily be space for both in the same team – like at the Oval in the fifth Ashes Test in August, when Faulkner made his Test debut.

One thing is certain, all the self belief in the world can’t convince the 23-year-old that he is able to take on all of Watson’s heavy workload just yet.

“Shane is a great player. I can’t ever compare myself to him and what he does,” Faulkner said.

“He bats in the top three, he’s scored 100s and lots of runs in Test cricket and one-day cricket.

“As far as I’m concerned he’s a lot better player than what I am.

“I’m hopeful, as I’m sure all of Australia are, that he’ll get back on the park and be available for the first Test because he’ll be a massive loss if he’s not.”