Days before the New South Wales selectors name the team for the first Sheffield Shield match of teh summer, Sydney University captain Nick Larkin has staked his claim for a place in the side in emphatic fashion, hitting his second century of the Futures League match in Canberra between ACT/NSW Country and NSW Metropolitan.
Larkin followed his monumental 189 in the first innings with a rapid unbeaten 129 in the second. With ACT/NSW Countrychasing a declaration, his runs came from 164 deliveries and included 13 boundaries.
This was Larkin's seventh century in only 13 Futures League matches. His record in the competition now stands at 1707 runs at an average of 81.28 - figures that emphasise that he has earned an extended opportunity in first-class cricket.
A short time ago, ACT/NSW Country closed its second innings at three for 244, a lead of 289. NSW Metropolitan was 54 without loss in reply.