Mitch Owen has made a mockery of David Warner’s suggestion that he doesn’t deserve an international call-up after one of the most incredible centuries for Tasmania in the One-Day Cup win over South Australia. Ladder-leaders South Australia posted a formidable 9-329 in Sunday’s match at Adelaide Oval after Mackenzie Harvey’s superb ton (129 off 118 balls) was backed up by Daniel Drew’s important half century (63 off 55 balls).

But Owen carried over the form from his historic century in the Big Bash final for Hobart, with an astonishing 48-ball century to help Tasmania seal a thrilling two-wicket win. Owen belted 14 boundaries and 10 sixes in a devastating display of big-hitting that helped lift the visitors to 3-197 by the 20th over. He finished with a whopping 149 runs off just 69 balls as Tassie chased down South Australia’s impressive target with six balls to spare and two wickets in hand.

Owen’s latest extraordinary knock drew plenty of similarities to his record-equalling century in the BBL final for Hobart when he hit 108 off 42 balls lifted the Hurricanes to victory over the Sydney Thunder. Owen’s incredible form with the bat has coincided with his shift to the top of the batting order – a move that Aussie legend Ricky Ponting helped mastermind.

Ponting and former T20 World Cup winner Matthew Wade were among those calling for Owen to earn a national call-up to Australia’s white-ball sides, with one eye on next year’s ODI World Cup. And Owen’s latest display has also led to plenty of calls for fans for him to elevated to Australia’s ODI side as soon as possible. Owen missed out on inclusion for Australia’s Champions Trophy squad but has given selectors a telling new reminder of his qualities.

Mitch Owen’s latest heroics come after David Warner doubts

Young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk looks like the Aussie batter most in danger of losing his spot to Owen – in both Australia’s ODI and T20 squads – after a lean run of form. And Owen’s latest match-winning ton provides yet another emphatic response to former Aussie opener Warner’s suggestions that he’s not quite ready for an international call-up, with many fans pushing for his elevation.

“No, no. You’ve got the guys that are there at the moment,” Warner said about Owen’s potential selection for Australia after his Thunder side went down in the BBL final. “You can earn your stripes … we can’t be just picking blokes and chopping and changing when the guys that are there have won World Cups.”

Owen’s task of breaking into Australia’s T20 top order is a difficult one, with Travis Head, Matt Short and Fraser-McGurk laying claims on those spots. Steve Smith is another batter that will have designs of earning a recall after being overlooked for Australia’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, with the veteran showing brilliant late-career form in T20 cricket with the Sydney Sixers. But calls are only growing louder for his national call-up to Australia’s white-ball sides after Sunday’s heroics.

Owen’s magnificent innings finally came to an end when he was bowled between his legs by Wes Agar, with Tasmania slipping to 8-291 in the 39th over. Tasmania still required 39 runs to win at that stage and Will Prestwidge (26no) combined with Tom Rogers (16no) to see the visitors get across the line with six balls to spare.

The Redbacks entered Sunday’s match knowing they had already secured a spot in the One Day Cup final. And Victoria’s victory against NSW ensured the South Australia’s won hosting rights for the March 1 decider. Victoria’s win catapulted them from fourth to second, securing the Bushrangers a spot in next Saturday’s final against the Redbacks at Adelaide Oval. Tasmania finished the season in fifth spot with three wins and three losses.

with AAP