Australian cricket's allrounder stocks couldn't be in ruder health with Moises Henriques the latest utility player to put his name up in national lights with a century for NSW.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Four-Test player Henriques looked in imperious touch as he struck 134 not out against Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield clash.
After being in a hole late in the first session, it helped carry the Blues to 3-262 at stumps at Adelaide's Gladys Elphick Park on day one.
With only Mitch Marsh sporadically filling the allrounder role since Shane Watson quit the long-form game in 2015, Australia have mostly opted for a batsman at No.6, with three quicks and a spinner.
But if early season form is any indication, an allrounder could be in the mix for this summer's Test series against India.
Queensland's Michael Neser and WA's Ashton Agar both cracked tons and took five wickets in an innings during their first Shield outing this season, the former in particular banging down the national selection door with two years of strong performances.
Henriques showed he at least wants to be part of that conversation.
After a sound start of 0-54, the Blues had lost three quick wickets to be teetering at 3-71.
Batting at No.4, Henriques, who scored 512 runs at 51 last season but rarely bowled, then took charge.
Last playing a Test in 2016 and on the wrong side of 33, he wound back the clock, smacking 17 boundaries and a six in his 215-ball innings.
He was ably assisted by the more circumspect Daniel Solway (68, 217 balls) on a deck that quickly flattened out.
Nick Larkin (34) and Kurtis Patterson (1) had spoiled a sound start for the Blues, both holing out to the only men in the outfield.
And when Daniel Hughes (23) was out edging to second slip off the bowling of Aaron Hardie (1-43), trouble looked to be brewing.
Henriques flashed three early boundaries before knuckling down in the middle session, the Blues not losing another wicket for the day.
Liam Guthrie (1-58) and Cameron Gannon (1-63) were the other wicket takers for WA.
"More often than not on flat wickets you'll get a chance throughout a day somewhere from a lazy shot somewhere along the line," WA's Ashton Turner said.
"But today I thought credit to the two guys who are not out - we didn't get any chances (after the opening three wickets)."
For NSW, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon was selected for his first match in seven months while paceman Mitchell Starc was rested.
Australian Associated Press
