He and Michael Hussey took the score along to 74-2 at tea, a lead of 144, and continued to grind away until an eventful Harbhajan over 40 minutes into the final session transformed the match.
That effort will lead to a number of Tea Party-backed primary challenges in 2014, which could oust some pledge-breaking incumbents and put a safe seat into play.
With tea party support, Rubio took a lead on Crist, who then left the GOP ahead of an anticipated primary loss and continued his run as an independent.
The feel-good factor was passed onto Andrew Flintoff, who came in at six and duly lofted Harris over long-on for a maximum that sent England in for tea on 232-4, a lead of 38.