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Joe Burns hit a century for Australia A as he and opening partner Marcus Harris battle for an Ashes Test spot.

Joe Burns' battle with chronic fatigue helped him stop stressing about Ashes selection before he helped his cause with a century for Australia A on Tuesday.

Burns responded to Marcus Harris' hundred on Monday with a ton of his own against Sussex, as the visitors surged towards victory in Arundel.

After Harris hit 109 in a 214-run opening stand with Burns, the Queenslander finished on 133 himself against the inexperienced attack.

It marked a significant milestone, as it came less than 10 days after Burns was cleared to return to play following a month out of the game with chronic fatigue.

"I haven't really thought about (the Ashes selection battle) too much," said Burns, who flew to England last Wednesday.

"The one benefit of being home the last couple of weeks is I just tried to recover and rest up and tried to get to the end of the process that was in place.

"Probably not until the last few days did I really switch onto cricket with a view to the Ashes that start in August."

The incumbent Test pairing from Australia's last match against Sri Lanka, Harris and Burns are likely to fight it out to partner David Warner at Edgbaston on August 1.

Burns scored 180 in his last Test against Sri Lanka in Canberra, while Harris was the most consistent batsman of last summer even though he didn't score a century.

The battle between the pair will play out again on Sunday when they are likely to open again for Australia A against the England Lions.

"I think as openers you are always working as a partnership and you're trying to get through the contest and help each other out in the middle," Burns said.

"You don't look at each other as competing for spots. I have always thought that if everyone is making runs there will be a spot for everyone."

Burns could also push for the No.3 spot if Usman Khawaja doesn't beat a hamstring injury, or join the logjam of batsmen in the running to play at No.6.

Meanwhile, James Pattinson took 3-12 as Sussex were all out for 120 in the second innings, meaning Australia A will have a target of just 11 when play resumes on Wednesday.