Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski sent a timely reminder of their ability to the Australian selectors, making double centuries in Victoria's third round Sheffield Shield encounter against South Australia at the Gliderol Stadium in Adelaide.
Harris made 239 until his dismissal while Pucovski remained 255 not out at the point of Victoria's declaration at 564/3 in the first innings.
The duo put on 486 runs for the first wicket, which surpassed the 464 that Mark and Steve Waugh put on for the fifth wicket for New South Wales against Western Australia in 1990, to be the new highest stand in Australian domestic first-class cricket.
With India due to arrive down under and the spot for David Warner's opening partner far from certain, Harris made his case strong with an epic double. The left-hander was dropped from the Test squad following last year's Ashes tour. But this innings will definitely bring him back in consideration.
Pucovski, on the other hand, usually a No.3 for Victoria and thought of among middle-order candidates by Australia, has been near the Test playing XI for quite a while. But the youngster pulled out of the side last year to focus on resolving his mental health concerns.
Thankfully, the 22-year-old earlier this week said he is "in a really good space" now and is keen to be back.
After dismissing South Australia for just 200 runs in the first innings, Victoria took a huge 364-run lead to take a giant step towards an outright victory.
(Inputs from Reuters)
