Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald failed to improve his chances of a Test debut while speedster Mitchell Starc produced a scintillating spell on day one of the fourth round of Sheffield Shield action.

The left-handed Weatherald, hoping to press his case for a spot in Australia’s starting XI for the first Test against England, chopped on for 23 after flashing at a short delivery from South Australian seamer Liam Scott at Bellerive Oval, throwing his head back in frustration before marching off the field.

The leading run-scorer of last summer’s Sheffield Shield, Weatherald earned a maiden national call-up for the Ashes campaign after starting his season with a trio of fifties for Tasmania. However, the 31-year-old has since posted scores of 0, 12 and 23 in the Sheffield Shield, potentially damaging his chance of receiving a coveted baggy green in Perth.

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Weatherald Bowled on 23! | 00:32

To make room for all-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster in the middle order, national selectors may consider reinventing the in-form Marnus Labuschagne as an opener, partnering Queensland teammate Usman Khawaja at the top. But Webster, who recently admitted he was at risk of being “squeezed out” of the Test side, was later dismissed by South Australian quick Henry Thornton for 13 after gloving a wayward delivery down the leg side.

Tasmania was bowled out for 209 in 64.2 overs, with Ashes hopeful Brendan Doggett securing a five-wicket haul after cleaning up the tail. This year, he has taken 32 wickets Sheffield Shield wickets at 16.82, while he looms as the leading candidate to join the Test starting XI should injury strike the bowling cartel.

Ashes recruit Doggett claims 5-Fa! | 01:22

Webster redeemed himself later in the evening session by removing the dangerous Travis Head, given out caught behind for 9 – but the South Australian didn’t look terribly impressed with the decision. The tourists were 3-88 at stumps, still trailing by 121 runs, with veteran seamer Jackson Bird removing Nathan McSweeney and Jason Sangha.

Elsewhere in the Sheffield Shield, New South Wales paceman Starc claimed four wickets in his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket as Victorian veteran Peter Handscomb notched his 30th first-class century on day one at the SCG.

Lyon strikes to get Harris | 00:30

Starc created an early breakthrough by trapping young opener Harry Dixon with a brutal toe-crusher for 20, later removing opener Campbell Kellaway and young gun Oliver Peake in a ruthless six-over bumper barrage during the afternoon session. At one stage, there was a lengthy medical delay after Starc struck Kellaway on the finger.

Jack Edwards put down a regulation chance at first slip to gift Handscomb an extra life on 0, which proved an expensive error, with the right-hander anchoring Victoria’s innings and celebrating his second Shield century of the season, reaching the milestone with a lofted straight drive. He was dismissed during the penultimate over of the day by spinner Nathan Lyon, bowled for 104.

The Victorians were 7-340 at stumps, with captain Will Sutherland unbeaten on 36.

Starc gets Dixon with classic yorker | 00:40

Earlier, Blues captain Steve Smith was left red-faced after a butchered coin toss fell limply to the deck, something he’ll need to practice before the Perth Test. NSW opener William Salzmann was substituted out of the match due to a hamstring tear he sustained in the outfield, replaced in the starting XI by Ryan Hicks.

The NSW starting XI features multiple Australian representatives, including Sam Konstas, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Lyon, Smith and Starc.