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Nathan Hauritz has played three Sheffield Shield matches for NSW since his omission from Australia’s Test squad and he’s starred in all of them so far.
Following on from a career-best bowling performance at the WACA against Western Australia and his maiden first class century last week against South Australia at the SCG, Hauritz tore into his former Queensland teammates with another ton at Blacktown Olympic Park on Sunday.
The 29-year-old smacked an unbeaten 110 as NSW took their overnight first innings score from 6-286 to 9-458 declared, becoming the second century-maker of the Blues’ dig after teenager Nic Maddinson’s impressive 137.
In reply the Bulls were 3-54 when rain brought about an early close to play with 10 overs remaining in the day, with debutant Andrew Robinson unbeaten on 46.
Hauritz also chipped in with a wicket, claiming the scalp of opener Ryan Broad (27) to end the day with 1-22 off 13 overs while fellow Test exile Doug Bollinger dismissed Wade Townsend (3) and in-form Chris Lynn (1) to have 2-24 off 10 overs.
But the off-spinner said his good run of form hadn’t got him anticipating a Test recall by the end of the summer.
“The Test recall’s always in the back of your mind but to be honest I don’t even think about it when I’m playing,” Hauritz told reporters.
“I don’t even see me being looked at to be honest. I’m really enjoying playing for NSW, they’re a great bunch and we’ve got a very good chance to end this half of the year on a high.”
Hauritz’s innings was made possible through a 112-run ninth wicket stand with Trent Copeland, who made his maiden first class half-century before falling for 53.
That partnership appears to have taken the match away from the Bulls, with Hauritz believing he and fellow spinner Stephen O’Keefe should enjoy the best of a deteriorating pitch on days three and four.
“I think if we bowl our right areas it’s going to be real tough for them to score, they’re going to have to come at us a little bit,” he said.
“I think you saw with Ryan Broad, the more you try to hang in, the tougher it gets.”
The competition’s leading wicket-taker, Chris Swan, nabbed 4-86 to be the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, with Luke Feldman (2-140) and youngster Cameron Gannon (2-88) the other wicket-takers for the Bulls.
Swan hobbled off late in the Blues’ knock but is apparently only suffering from cramp and should be right to play on for Queensland.
Robinson said the team will need to make sure it focuses on survival early on day three.
“It’s not easy … just got to carry on and see how we go,” the 29-year-old left-hander said.
“Obviously the first hour’s important. Try and work hard and not lose any wickets early, obviously that ball might start reversing because it is really rough out there. It’s just a matter of grinding early and trying to tick along the runs.”
Play will resume at 10.30am AEDT on Monday to make up for the time lost on Sunday due to the rain.
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