Ben Dunk is out to prove he's more than a short-form cricketer and a maiden first-class century will help his case.
The opener was unbeaten on 129 at stumps on Friday as Tasmania reached 3-278 against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield at Bellerive Oval.
"To prove that to myself and also to everybody else that I'm a bit more than a white ball player, is pretty special," Dunk told reporters after play, of his milestone.
The left-hander, who has represented Australia in Twenty20 cricket, surpassed his previous first-class top score of 97 in a performance he said took a lot of hard work.
"I've worked really hard in the pre-season leading up to this, for red-ball cricket," Dunk added.
"I really worked on my technique to get through and sessions and days like (Friday) ... and to finally get there ... it's a real monkey off my back."
In last week's 162-run loss to Western Australia, Dunk was dismissed cheaply for seven and 14 across two innings.
He said Friday's effort was pay back to the selectors for standing by him.
But it wasn't all rosy for the 28-year old, who was handed two lifelines by his former Queensland team during the closing overs, both times dropped in the slips.
Late in the day he found support from skipper George Bailey (53 not out) with whom he forged a 95-run partnership.
Earlier Bailey won the toss and chose to bat, with opener Dominic Michael (nought) bowled in the second over by Peter George (1-45).
The replacement batsman was former Test player Alex Doolan (90) who joined with Dunk for a 182-run partnership which saw the duo bat through two sessions.
Doolan was eventually caught behind off Mark Steketee (2-62).
In his next over the Queensland fast bowler accounted for new batsman Jake Doran (nought), who was caught at slip.
"We missed a few opportunities there on a wicket that was offering a bit early on," Steketee told reporters.
Bailey raced to his half century from 65 balls in a knock that included eight boundaries and a six.
He and Dunk will resume for Tasmania on Saturday.
