Kurtis Patterson emphatically put his case for future Test selection with a majestic 157 not out for a Cricket Australia XI on the first day of the three day tour match against Sri Lanka.
The New South Welshman stroked 21 boundaries in his 212 ball innings that featured in an unbeaten 218-run partnership for the sixth wicket with fellow left hander Jake Doran, who finished 102 not out.
Patterson said the tactics of the visiting bowlers helped his cause, with the Sri Lankan pace attack bowling too short having had some early success by tempting highly-rated duo Will Pucovski and Jason Sangha into mistimed hook shots.
"They bowled a little too short if anything'' Patterson said.
"They got a couple of wickets after the first break with the short ball so that encouraged them to keep bowling. I think they overdid it to be honest''
On an ideal day for batting Patterson and Doran made the most of the conditions as the wicket flattened out and the pink ball lost its hardness.
This game is being played in the day night format, the same that will be used for the first test at the Gabba next week. Of the Sri Lankan spinners Patterson said "they changed their pace well and did what they could on a flat wicket with no turn at all really"
For Sri Lanka their new ball bowler and attack leader Dushmantha Chameera had the pick of the figures with 3 for 57 off 16 overs.
Australian Associated Press
