WORCESTERSHIRE overseas star Phil Jaques is enjoying another winter of sustained run-making for his state New South Wales.

The left-hander cracked 163 against Queensland in a crucial four-day Pura Cup tie - Australia's equivalent of the County Championship - at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

In the process, Jaques took his season tally to an impressive 841 runs at 52.56 in 11 innings, including three hundreds and four fifties.

"For me, the last couple of months have been really good," Jaques said.

"I've been hitting the ball well, scoring heavily and hopefully that will continue and we can win the final.

"That's my main focus - for the boys to win the competition."

New South Wales are second on the Pura Cup ladder but five of the six states are in contention for this year's final on March 19-23.

Jaques is in the frame for both the Australian Test and one-day sides and his chances have increased following the retirement of Somerset captain Justin Langer. But the jury is still out as to who the national selectors will choose.

Jaques' compatriot and Northants overseas batsman Chris Rogers, another left-hander, was the Pura Cup player of the year this season with 1,032 runs at 79.38 in 13 innings.