Mitchell Starc has fired an early Ashes warning, taking four wickets on his return to red ball bowling as Victoria reached 7-340 against NSW at the SCG.<\/p>\n
Just 11 days out from the first Test in Perth, Starc worked his way through Victoria’s top order on Monday to finish the opening day of the match with 4-91.<\/p>\n
Peter Handscomb was Victoria’s best, hitting his second century of the summer before being bowled by Nathan Lyon for 104 late in the day.<\/p>\n
Lyon (2-65) also had Marcus Harris caught at bat-pad early, while Josh Hazlewood (0-54) got through his 18 overs unscathed and bowled with good rhythm.<\/p>\n
But it was Starc who looked the most dangerous, playing his first Shield match of the summer ahead of an Ashes series where he will again be Australia’s point of difference.<\/p>\n
Bowling with genuine speed, Starc was on song early and had Harry Dixon lbw for 20 with one his trademark yorkers that tailed back in at the left-hander.<\/p>\n
The left-armer’s battle with Campbell Kellaway was the highlight of the day, in a high-quality first hour of the second session.<\/p>\n
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Starc struck the Victorian opener on the fingers once, while another ball ballooned off the gloves and just over Steve Smith at second slip.<\/p>\n
Kellaway did well to progress to 51, but Starc eventually had his man when the left-hander gloved a ball down the leg side to wicketkeeper Josh Philippe.<\/p>\n
Oliver Peake came and went quickly, superbly caught by Kurtis Patterson when he crunched his third ball from Starc to gully.<\/p>\n
And while there was a hint of the BazBall approach from Victoria and Sam Harper (54) after tea, Starc withstood the onslaught and prevailed.<\/p>\n
Weatherald and Webster fail to fire with Test spots on the line<\/p>\n
Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald (left) started brightly before he was bowled by South Australia’s Liam Scott. (Getty Images: Steve Bell)<\/p>\n
It was a disappointing first innings for Tasmanian duo Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster on day one against South Australia.<\/p>\n
Batting first, Weatherald hit five boundaries early before being dismissed for 23, while Webster managed just 13 as Tasmania was bowled out for 209.<\/p>\n
Both players remain 50-50 propositions at best to be named in Australia’s XI for next week’s Ashes opener in Perth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Weatherald has rocketed into contention off the back of some strong form, and is the only other recognised red ball opener in Australia’s Test squad outside of Usman Khawaja.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, the selectors could also decide to open with the recalled Marnus Labuschagne alongside Khawaja, particularly if Cameron Green is preferred to bat in the top order.<\/p>\n
Green’s return and his ability to bowl will have a big say on whether Webster will be retained after impressing so far in his seven career Test matches.\u00a0<\/p>\n
South Australia’s Brendan Doggett continued his strong run of form, finishing with figures of 5-66 off 19.2 overs after he was named in Australia’s squad for the first Test against England.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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