'The Finisher' not finished at Test level

A reborn and rejuvenated James Faulkner is ready to push his long-form credentials when the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series against New Zealand gets under way at the SCG on Sunday.

After overcoming a chronic knee problem, Faulkner, dubbed 'The Finisher' for his prowess in the Australia's lower-order, is showing promising signs he is ready to break his reputation as a limited overs specialist.

The allrounder last month posted a significant milestone when he made his maiden Sheffield Shield ton - a gutsy 100 not out which allowed Tasmania to draw with NSW.

While he had previously made a first-class century during a stint with Lancashire last year, it was Faulkner’s first-ever Shield century.

It came in his 46th match for Tasmania and eight years after he made his debut.

"It was nice to see some fight, some toughness and a bit of pride in fighting the game out," Tasmania skipper George Bailey said of the Tigers’ Faulkner-led final day resistance.

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The knock also hasn't gone unnoticed by Australian team management and skipper Steve Smith said he was impressed with the 26-year-old's evolution.

"If you're around for a little while guys understand what you're trying to do and they see a lot more of you. So they understand you and the way you play," Smith said.

"You always have to reinvent yourself and evolve as a player and I think he's working incredibly hard on his game.

“It was great for him to score his first 100 in first class cricket last week so he's confident, he's in reasonable nick."

Faulkner played his lone Test at The Oval in the final match of the 2013 Ashes series against England where he made 23 and 22, and took six wickets for the match.

He is averaging 57 this Shield season, prompting former Australia opener Simon Katich last week to declare he should be considered for February's tour of India.

Faulkner has also taken 80 wickets from 59 one-day international appearances at an average of 31.07.

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