Day 1 Australia A 253 (Hardie 115, Jewell 66, van Beek 4-72, Kuggelejin 3-53, O’Rourke 2-55) vs New Zealand A 37 for 1 (Solia 23*)
Hardie, who stepped up as captain for the second four-day game against New Zealand A, struck a splendid 115 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln in a timely knock.
The hosts had moved to 37 for 1 at stumps on day one, with South Australia quick Jordan Buckingham breaking through for a vital wicket before the close of play.
Hardie has been in the sights of chairman of selectors George Bailey and his panel for a couple of years, but this innings will seriously push his claims after another impressive season for WA.
Opener Matt Renshaw, who played two Tests on Australia’s recent tour of India, was unable to build on his century in the first game in New Zealand and was dismissed by Scott Kuggeleijn for 2.
Renshaw batted in the middle order in India and against South Africa at the SCG in January, but slotting in at the top seems his most realistic way back into the Test side.
Veteran David Warner is under mounting pressure to save his red-ball career ahead of the World Test Championship against India and the Ashes.
Australia A had three ducks in their 69-over innings, as New Zealand capitalised on a bowler-friendly pitch.