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Victoria are 1-362 at stumps on the first day of their Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia after skipper Peter Handscomb won the toss at Junction Oval.
Marcus Harris tightened his grip on a Test spot and Nic Maddinson reminded selectors he's still about too by both blasting centuries in a dominant display by Victoria on the first day of their Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia.
With national selector Trevor Hohns in attendance at Junction Oval on Thursday, Maddinson continued his remarkable career resurgence to be unbeaten on 195, with young gun Will Pucovski also not out on 45 as the Vics stormed to 1-362 at stumps on day one of the season-opener.
After a lean Ashes series where he made just 58 runs from six innings, Harris gave his chances of retaining his spot at the top of Australia's batting order a shot in the arm with his innings of 116.
After Victoria skipper Peter Handscomb won the toss, Harris smashed nine fours and four sixes in the impressive knock that ended in the 58th over when he was caught at gully off the bowling of Nick Winter.
Hohns has wiped the slate clean for all spots in the top six bar Steve Smith following the Ashes and Harris is thrilled to have started his bid to play the first Test against Pakistan in November strongly.
"Obviously I didn't make the runs I wanted to in the Ashes so I know full well that I have to make runs in these games before the team is selected," Harris said.
"Technically (that Test opener's spot) is mine at the moment, but I have to do quite well to make sure I'm the man there at the start of the series.
"A hundred in the first game is probably going to help a little bit."
Maddinson belted 21 fours and four sixes on his way to a fourth century in six Shield matches for the Vics since making the switch from NSW.
Despite that rich vein of form, adding to the three Tests he played in 2016 isn't his sole focus.
"The ultimate goal is to still play Test cricket because I feel like I wasn't at my best when I had the opportunity," Maddinson said.
"But it's about doing what I can (for Victoria) ... if I can be the best Shield player I can be a never play for Australia again I'd be happy with that.
"That (mindset) has probably improved my batting."
The Redbacks, who finished last season winless, quickly found themselves behind the eight-ball against the reigning champions as Maddinson and Harris put on a 220-run opening partnership.
Winter was the pick of the Redbacks' bowlers with 1-46 from 16 overs.
