Nevill praised as he apologises to stranded Starc

Nathan Lyon has backed Peter Nevill’s decision to pull the pin on Mitchell Starc when he was in sight of a maiden first-class century, although the New South Wales captain admitted he has since apologised to his fast bowler.

Starc's delight at seeing Sean Abbott bring up triple figures for the first time in the Marsh Sheffield Shield on Tuesday soon turned to disbelief as Nevill, with the left-hander on 86 not out, declared with a 347-run lead to give his side the best part of an hour to bowl at Tasmania late on day three.

The 57-Test veteran briefly lingered in the middle when Abbott spotted Nevill ushering them in and, after giving his partner a handshake and a backslap as they walked off, he angrily threw his bat and one of his gloves as he reached the Blues' makeshift dugout at Gladys Elphick Park.

Starc’s actions were picked up on the live stream and the vision went viral, with the left-armer trending on Twitter on Tuesday night.

Lyon confirmed his close friend Starc had been frustrated by the decision but praised Nevill for making the tough call in the interests of the team.

The fact Trent Copeland took two wickets before stumps and the Blues won the match in the final session of the game the following day vindicated Nevill’s call.

Nevill, who said he didn’t see Starc's reaction given he was taping his fingers in preparation for his wicketkeeping duties, added he’s cleared the air with his star quick.

"We have had a bit of chat about it. I did apologise to him as well," said Nevill.

"I'd love for him to get that milestone, but the most important thing was having a crack at them for 45 or 50 minutes last night. To get two wickets then as well made the job today that much easier."

Starc is no mug with the bat – he has scored 11 first-class half-centuries, 10 of them coming Tests, and averages nearly 22 – but he has never scored the hundred he desperately craves.

The left-hander was heartbreakingly out for 99 in Mohali during Australia's 2013 Test tour of India, while he got close again during the 2016 Boxing Day Test when he smashed seven sixes against Pakistan on the way to 84.

"He's obviously frustrated because he was batting really well and close to getting a hundred but there will be another opportunity for him no doubt if he keeps batting that way," said Nevill.

Starc’s reaction somewhat overshadowed what proved to be a match-winning 189-run unbroken stand with Abbott, which was made even more impressive given it came after a collapse of 3-3.

"I can tell you one thing, as one of my best mates, when you get close to a hundred like that – they don't come around too often (for tailenders)," said Lyon.

"It's unfortunate he didn't get the opportunity. He would have liked one more over to give him a crack (at the century). But he supported 'Sabba' (Abbott) extremely well.

"Starcy – he's probably the least selfish team man I've ever met. He's always wanting the team to perform well and win games of cricket. He's all right."