Essex opener Tom Westley revealed he had been sent a message of congratulations from England captain Alastair Cook after hitting a superb century as Australia's bowlers struggled to make an impact on the rain-hit second day of their tour match at Chelmsford.
Australia had been put into bat on a favourable wicket and, after resuming on Thursday morning at 440 for six, Mitchell Marsh's 169 combined with quickfire knocks from tailenders Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle helped them post what looked a formidable 562 following a 30-minute delay before lunch for rain.
However, Australia pacemen Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood failed to make any early inroads as Essex produced a stubborn response, led by Westley's 144 and 86 not out from captain Ravi Bopara as the home side replied with 299 for three.
"I checked my phone and I have had a message from Cooky already, it was just 'well done and congrats, I will give you a call over the next couple of days'," said 26-year-old Westley, who was promoted to opening bat following a finger injury in the field to Nick Browne.
"My father and uncle were here today, so it is a fantastic feeling to score some runs, and hopefully I can get some more.
"I thought I was lucky at some times, it is a tough wicket to bowl on with not much in it, but Australia have all bases covered.
"We spoke about just trying to be positive and fortunately it came off today."
Westley added: "We have been playing really good cricket and just want that to continue, if we can back well tomorrow, then who knows, but we are in a good position."
Captain Bopara, part of England's 2009 Ashes squad, came in at number three and helped Essex push on to 170 without further loss by tea.
Westley brought up his century early in the evening session, which came off 134 balls with 19 boundaries and one six.
The clouds gathered again and the players were taken off just after 5:30pm.
Following another 30-minute delay, play was extended until 7pm.
Bopara knocked the beleaguered Australian attack around the ground as the 200 partnership came up, before Westley was eventually beaten when bowled after Starc went around the wicket. His 144 came off 209 balls, with 24 fours and one six.
In what was the final delivery of the day, Starc bowled nightwatchman Jamie Porter for a third-ball duck.
The late success saw Starc finish with two for 26 from 12.3 overs.
Veteran paceman Peter Siddle - a late replacement in the XI for fellow quick Ryan Harris, himself now a doubt for the first Ashes Test in Cardiff because of sore knees - felt while Australia lacked a cutting edge, it was not all negative under the clouds at the Essex County Ground.
He said: "It was obviously disappointing not to get some more wickets during the day, but it comes back to our consistency with the ball, we were a bit all over the shop.
"But at times the boys showed how they were getting through, at the end of the day it was a good blow out for us, we got some overs under our belt.
"They batted well, but hopefully those late couple of wickets opened it up a bit, so we will be switched on in the morning and can get stuck in."
Source: PA
