Fourteen of Australia’s 15-strong squad for the Ashes opener were playing in the latest round of the Sheffield Shield. How did they fare on Wednesday?
The only Victorian in the squad, Boland took only two wickets in the first innings, but that included a peach to knock over Sam Konstas. He was his usual restrictive self though, conceding just 27 in 15 overs. In the second innings, he took 1-24 in 10 as Victoria stormed to a 300-run win in three days.
NSW skipper Smith stood alone among his side’s batters – twice. In the first, he made 57 as NSW were shot out for 128. He also took a screamer of a catch at first slip. Smith was stranded on 56 not out in the second innings, and provided more than his fair share of entertainment at the crease.
Backup pacer Abbott took 1-75 before returning a superb 4-18 in nine overs. More significant was the news of his injury on Wednesday. He has been ruled out of the first Test with a “moderate grade” hamstring strain. Australia have not yet named any squad replacement, though.
Starc accounted for four of Victoria’s top six, including both openers, in the first innings (and also took a beating from Sam Harper in the first post-tea over on day one). Opener Harry Dixon was his only victim second time around.
Lyon continued to remain relevant, even as whispers abound that one or both sides could consider not playing a specialist spinner at all. He took six wickets in the match, including Marcus Harris twice, and centurion Peter Handscomb in the first innings.
Hazlewood took 1-22 in the first innings, but like Abbott, then had his own hamstring injury scare on Wednesday. He has subsequently been cleared for the Ashes opener, though.
23 & 30 were the opener’s returns, as he was bowled by Liam Scott in both innings. Perhaps not the greatest first impression, but it is unlikely to have much bearing on his standing anyway.
Read more: How Jake Weatherald won bat-off against other Australian openers to make Ashes squad
Webster did not shine with the bat, scoring 13 & 8, but he did finish with eight wickets even as Tasmania lost by seven wickets. His first innings five-for included the wicket of Travis Head for nine, and he dismissed both Head and Alex Carey the next time around. Decisions, decisions…
Losing his wicket to Webster in both innings would not be Head’s finest moment; nine and 15 were his scores. Still, his place in Australia’s XI is not in any danger.
Carey was out to Webster in the second innings, but he did get more of a hit in the first, scoring a brisk 59 off 63.
Doggett perhaps did the best he could to push for a spot in the XI (still unlikely unless Hazlewood’s fitness deteriorates), with 5-66 in the first innings.
Labuschagne continued what has been a bumper domestic season for him, with a first-innings half-century against WA even as Matt Renshaw starred with a century.
More than his bowling returns of 1-13, Australia would be relieved that Green got through eight overs unscathed. He found some form with the bat as well when WA went in to bat, closing in on a half-century late on day two (Wednesday).
Australia’s backup wicketkeeper was dismissed cheaply by Gurinder Sandhu, heading back for four off 22 balls.
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