A week before Australia lobbed on England's south coast, there was another Australian here compiling runs, and lots of them.

Sam Robson, the 24-year-old opener born and raised in Sydney, chalked up 166 over 6½ hours for Middlesex against Sussex, on the same ground where Australia prepared for Thursday's third Test. It was his third ton in a County Championship season in which he is the highest run-scorer in England.

The one that got away? Sam Robson could represent England in the future. Credit:Getty Images

Until this year, such a feat may have barely registered back in Australia. But the growing intrigue about Robson's allegiance - he qualifies to represent England next year on residency grounds, but has not ruled out playing Test cricket for Australia - has dropped him right in the middle of what may turn out to be an Ashes-themed tug-of-war.

''It's all happened really quickly this year,'' Robson said. ''A year ago I was just playing for Middlesex, just trying to improve and keep getting better, and trying to establish myself in the team.