KENT opener Robert Key is keeping his fingers crossed that the selectors will recall him for this Thursday's Ashes Test following his unbeaten 174 to prevent defeat against Australia A in Hobart.

Key, refusing to play-up his own claims, said: "I’m hoping my chance will come, but at lot can happen between now and then.

"A lot has been said about me, as an opener, batting at five, six or seven, but I think it’s a role I can handle, especially with the Kookaburra ball out here.

“By the time I would get in to bat the shine and seam would be gone off the ball and the direction of the game is more or less set, so I can just go out and bat accordingly."

He added: "I’m not used to going straight out to face a spinner, and certainly not a spinner like Shane Warne, but that’s something I relish and a battle I’d look forward to.”

The 23-year-old from Beckenham batted for almost seven hours at the Bellerive Oval, reaching a maiden century for his country as well as a first-class career-best.

He went to the wicket with England in trouble at 28 for two having been forced to follow-on 170 in arrears, yet he batted throughout the third and final day of the game to help the tourists save face.

“It was one of the best, most balanced attacks I’ve ever faced and in one of the most serious games I’ve ever played in, so you could say I’m delighted,” said Key after his 386-ball marathon innings.

He stressed: “You’re under scrutiny every second out here, even in the intervals between batting the press are looking for the smallest thing to throw at you. We’ve taken a lot of stick from media for our performances since we arrived, so it’s nice to give them something good to write about.”

In praising the quality of the Australia A attack, Key added: “Ashley Noffke is as good as any bowler I’ve faced out here so far and although it wasn’t a Test it was an important game to save in terms of keeping our pride up.

“This is the next generation Australia side, they are the guys waiting in line for a baggy green cap, so I have to be pleased by taking a century off them. The difference between playing here and in county cricket is that their quicks and seamers give you nothing.

“There’s no width, and rarely a half-volley. They bowl in the right areas for much of the time and from both ends.”

Ironically, Key batted for much of the final day with the man he hopes to oust from the Test side, John Crawley, and it is the Hampshire man's hip injury that could give Key his chance.