How Australia's Test hopefuls fared

There have been mixed results for Australia's Test hopefuls in the ongoing round of Sheffield Shield matches leading into today's squad announcement for the first Commonwealth Bank Test at the WACA.

Top-order batsmen David Warner, Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh have all tuned up with stellar centuries while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon have all got overs under their belts in preparation for the first showdown of the summer against South Africa.

Joe Burns racked up a century of his own but, by his own admission, isn't sure if it will be enough to earn him a Test recall.

And a captivating bowl-off has been played out at the MCG between Peter Siddle and Jackson Bird, though while both impressed, it remains unclear what effect the duel will have on their selection chances for the first Test.

After three days of play in each of the Shield games, we've reviewed how those in the frame for the WACA have fared.

NSW v QLD

David Warner (12 & 134)

After making 12 in the Blues first dig and copping a nasty blow from a wayward throw, Warner bounced back with a terrific second-innings ton. Australia’s vice-captain looked in good touch on his 30^th birthday, sharing in a 230-run stand with fellow opener Ed Cowan.

Steve Smith (117 & 42)

The Test skipper played a near flawless knock in NSW’s first-innings, recording his 27th first-class century. He finally departed for 117 attempting to lift one over cover. He added a diligent 42 in his second dig as the Blues edged towards a declaration.

Peter Nevill (1 & 13)

A victim of circumstances to some extent in both innings. With the Blues eyeing a first-innings declaration when the gloveman came to the crease, he fell trying to reach a wide one from Luke Feldman. A similar fate awaited him in the second dig, skying a swipe off Peter George in pursuit of quick runs. 

Josh Hazlewood (4-70 & 1-23*)

Looked lively in Queensland’s first innings, claiming 4-70 from 22 overs in a solid hit-out from the tall seamer. Hazlewood removed Bulls’ opener Charlie Hemphrey for the second time in the match - giving the Blues their first wicket in both innings - bowling him before stumps under the Gabba lights late on day three. 

Mitchell Starc (1-62)

Sent down 19 overs for just the single wicket in the Bulls' first innings but bowled with good pace. With the best view in the house of the left-armer’s performance, first-inning century-maker Joe Burns admitted Starc “bowled fast and swung it.” Enough said.

Joe Burns (126 & 29no*)

Posted a terrific century for the Bulls, ensuring his name remains in selectors’ minds. Weathered some probing bowling from pace duo Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, proving he can match it against Test-quality bowling. But 73 and 110 from incumbent opener Shaun Marsh may make it hard for Burns to reclaim his place at the top of Australia's batting order.

Usman Khawaja (79 & 12no*)

The elegant left-hander struck 12 boundaries in his first-innings knock of 79 and was not out on 12 at stumps on day three alongside Burns. 

Moises Henriques (11 & 28 | 0-32)

Similar to Nevill, the incumbent Test No.5 perished chasing quick runs in both innings, while he didn’t failed to take a wicket from his seven overs.

VIC v TAS

Peter Siddle (1-18 & 1-4*)

Engaged in a so-called bowl-off between with Jackson Bird at the ‘G, Siddle has bowled trademark accuracy and hostility. Following a typically miserly first-innings performance, the Victorian picked up Beau Webster for the second time in the match when the Tasmania allrounder was adjudged lbw late on day three. 

Jackson Bird (3-75 & 3-59)

With a five-wicket haul in his most recent Test, the tall right-armer was Tasmania’s standout bowler at the MCG, finishing with six wickets for the match. It remains to be seen whether his efforts will be enough to warrant his inclusion for the first Test.

WA v SA

Shaun Marsh (73 & 110)

After going into the match under an injury cloud, Marsh not only looked unhampered by the hamstring tweak, he appears to be in majestic touch with the bat. His second-innings century, coming after posting 73 in WA’s first dig, surely secured his spot as David Warner’s opening partner for the first Test at the WACA.

Mitch Marsh (12 & 0 | 2-110)

The younger Marsh has struggled to have the same impression on the match as his older brother. The allrounder nicked off under lights in WA’s first dig and was clean-bowled attempting to drive his first ball in their second innings. He picked up two wickets – including Jake Lehmann caught by Shaun at second slip – but went at more than five runs per over as the Redbacks piled on the runs on day two.

Adam Voges (20 & 0)

Trapped lbw by Joe Mennie in WA’s first dig, Voges failed to improve with his second opportunity and was part of a Chadd Sayers-orchestrated WA collapse of 3-10.

Joe Mennie (3-56* & 0-54)

Removed three of WA’s top-order in their first-innings but went wicketless in the second as Sayers did the damage for the Redbacks. Appears an outside chance for a Test call-up after impressing during the winter for Australia A. Mennie was last season's leading Sheffield Shield wicket taker.

Jason Behrendorff (3-70)

A first Test smoky, the left-armer probably needed a standout performance to put himself in contention for the first Test. Grabbed two late wickets on day one to put the Warriors on top before the Redbacks' stunning day two batting effort reduced his impact. Still, he finished with three first-innings scalps and could well feature at international level this summer. 

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