Queenslander Usman Khawaja botched the first act in his Ashes auditions when falling cheaply against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.
In reply to SA’s 387 all out, the Bulls were 3-143 at stumps on Thursday’s second day.
Khawaja, hoping to press his claims for a Test recall in front of national coach Darren Lehmann, made a stuttering eight from 43 balls.
The lefthander, who struggled to find gaps in the field during his knock, shuffled back and across his crease to a Johan Botha spinner and was trapped lbw.
Khawaja was openly disappointed at the dismissal, hovering at his crease before trudging off. As he departed, he appeared to exchange words with the jubilant South Australians.
The 26-year-old’s failure comes as he battles with a host of other batsmen for what appears one vacancy in the Australian Test team for the looming series against England.
Khawaja was dropped from the Test side after managing only 114 runs at an average of 19 in Australia’s failed away Ashes campaign in July-August.
His latest flop came as Queensland made a grinding response to the Redbacks’ first innings.
The visitors faced 58 overs for their runs, with opener Nathan Reardon making an unbeaten 55 from 155 balls.
Botha claimed all the wickets, finishing with 3-35 from 20 overs. He dismissed Greg Moller (26), Khawaja and Joe Burns (51).
Earlier, the Redbacks’ first innings was curtailed by Queensland paceman Luke Feldman, who claimed five wickets.
SA resumed at 4-294 but lost momentum as Feldman finished with 5-101 from 30 overs and Test paceman Ryan Harris claimed 3-42 from 23 overs.
Tom Cooper’s sterling knock ended on 171 while Botha made 61, both falling to Feldman.