Test stars turn out for Premier Cricket clubs

A host of Australia's Test stars turned out in Premier Cricket over the weekend, while paceman James Pattinson made his return to the bowling crease.

In Queensland's Premier Cricket competition, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Renshaw were in action at Peter Burge Oval as Redlands hosted Toombul with both teams needing a win to stay in the race for the finals.

Queensland Bulls captain Jimmy Peirson won the toss for Redlands and decided to bat first and it didn't take long for Labuschagne to arrive at the crease with Toombul claiming the first wicket of the day with the score on 21.

Labuschagne went on to make 28 from 57 deliveries, before he was trapped lbw by Toombul paceman Sam Rowley.

A patient innings of 39 from Peirson and a brilliant century from Charles Mailli (119) allowed Redlands to post a competitive target of 288, which Toombul will be chasing next week.

Renshaw bowled 16.3 overs for Toombul and finished with figures of 1-62, while Rowley was the pick of the bowlers with 3-60.

Redlands and Toombul currently sit in fifth and sixth places respectively on the Queensland Premier Cricket ladder and need a victory to have any chance of playing finals this season.

Meanwhile, Kurtis Patterson was in action on Sunday with the Test batsman making another appearance for NSW Premier Cricket side St George.

Patterson entered the clash in superb form having scored 167 for St George last month, a pair of centuries for the CA XI in Hobart and a maiden Test ton against Sri Lanka earlier this month.

However, that counted for little in the one-day contest against Sydney at Drummoyne Oval as the 25-year-old fell for eight as St George were dismissed for 208 in the 47th over.

That total never appeared enough, with Ryan Felsch (61) and Daniel Smith (52) hitting half-centuries to ensure Sydney cruised home by five wickets with more than nine overs to spare.

Test hopeful Will Pucovski made a return to competitive action with a stylish innings of 43 for Melbourne against the Camberwell Magpies in Victoria's Premier Cricket competition at Camberwell Sports Ground.

The uncapped young gun was in Australia's squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, but failed to win selection for either game.

With no Big Bash contract or JLT Sheffield Shield commitments of late, this was Pucovski's third appearance for Melbourne in in the past two months.

Pucovski hit five fours and one six during his 78-ball stay, as Melbourne were dismissed for 280 late in the day.

Camberwell Magpies negotiated a tricky six-over period prior to stumps to reach 0-12 at the close as they attempt to cling on to their spot in the top eight with a victory.

Across town at Shepley Oval, Pattinson played his first game in over a month as he bowled 10 overs for Dandenong against Footscray.

Pattinson suffered a side strain injury while playing for Brisbane Heat against the Melbourne Renegades last month and has only just returned to full fitness.

He finished with figures of 0-33 from his 10 overs as Footscray amassed a massive score of 9-350 courtesy of big knocks from Dylan Kight (98) and Dean Russ (91).

Pattinson is hoping to prove his fitness ahead of the re-commencement of the Shield season on Saturday, with Victoria hosting Queensland in a four-day contest at the Junction Oval.

The biggest score of the day came from Casey-South Melbourne skipper Luke Wells, who smashed an unbeaten 197 in a brilliant individual performance against Essendon at Casey Fields.

Wells had the chance to bring up his double century, but decided to declare his team's innings at 4-396 late in the day so Essendon could face two overs prior to stumps.

The Bombers safely negotiated those two overs and will remain confident of chasing down that mammoth score next week with their strong batting line-up and 10 wickets in hand.

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