Aaron Hardie makes case for Test inclusion with century against New Zealand A

All-rounder Aaron Hardie shone with an impressive century for Australia A team against New Zealand A to make a case for his inclusion in Australia's Test team. Hardie hit 115 off 160 balls at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln. His knock was studded with fifteen boundaries. The 24-year-old Australia all-rounder was later dismissed by Logan van Beek.

He scored more than half of Australia A's total of 253 while Caleb Jewell also made an important contribution, hitting seven boundaries and one maximum in 66 off 93. Meanwhile, at stumps on day one, the hosts were 37/1, trailing by 216 runs. van Beek was the pick of the bowlers, picking four wickets in 21 overs for 72 runs while Kuggeleijn picked three for 53.

Hardie has been on the radar of the chairman of selectors George Bailey and his panel for a few years. However, his innings against New Zealand A will solidify his case after another stunning season for Western Australia (WA).

Aaron Hardie extends good form in domestic cricket

He hit an unbeaten 174 in the recently held 2021-22 Sheffield Shield final against Victoria and showed himself as a big-game player again. He also took four wickets and scored a crucial 45 runs and helped help Western Australia win back-to-back titles in March- Sheffield Shield final and Marsh one-day cup 2022-23.

Coming to the match, opener Matt Renshaw, who played two Tests on Australia's recent tour of India, failed to build on his momentum in the first game in New Zealand. Notably, he was dismissed for two runs by New Zealand's Scott Kuggeleijn.

The 27-year-old batted in the middle order in the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India and against South Africa at the SCG in January this year. His best chance to return to the Test squad is to bat at the top.