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Nathan McSweeney’s rapid century led a strong run of Australian performances across the County Championship.
Nathan McSweeney has underlined his push for a return to Australia's Test side with a rapid century, while Jake Weatherald fell narrowly short of a maiden county ton as Australian openers impressed across the County Championship.
McSweeney produced a blistering 101 not out from 85 balls for Northamptonshire against Kent at Canterbury. The innings came amid a remarkable run surge, with all four Northamptonshire batters posting centuries in a declared total of 2-684.
Captain Luke Procter led the way with an unbeaten 261, while Ricardo Vasconcelos made 127 and Calvin Harrison added a career-best 153. McSweeney, batting at No.4, reached his hundred with a second six, prompting an immediate declaration under coach Darren Lehmann.
In reply, Kent struggled to 6-119, with fellow Australian Harry Conway taking two wickets, including bowling England opener Zak Crawley.
The strong showing followed Marcus Harris's 125 for Lancashire against Derbyshire, raising the prospect of three Australian opener centuries in as many days.
Weatherald came closest to completing the trio, making 96 for Leicestershire against Surrey at the Oval. He shared a 156-run opening stand with Rishi Patel, who went on to 133 not out, before edging Reece Topley behind.
Elsewhere, Fergus O'Neill continued his strong form for Nottinghamshire, taking 4-24 as Glamorgan were dismissed for 113. He later added 23 not out as Nottinghamshire reached 9-284, with Joe Clarke scoring 136 to help build a 450-run lead.
It was a tougher outing for Cameron Bancroft at Bristol. His Gloucestershire side conceded 5-605 declared to Durham, powered by Ben McKinney's 244, before Bancroft was dismissed for two as his side slipped to 8-168.