The Marshes star, Clarke ticks box

The one unticked box from the rain-affected, context-challenged tour match between the Australians and Derbyshire was checked in the final session through which Michael Clarke and Adam Voges batted undefeated.

Australia came into the three-day game at Derby with two simple aims – to give their overworked bowlers a rest before the third Test starts at Edgbaston on Wednesday and to grant the batsmen most in need of centre-wicket practice some batting time.

The first ambition was achieved before they arrived in the East Midlands, with Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood (along with man of the match at Lord’s Steve Smith) remaining in London on shore leave.

The second took a little longer to square off.

Shaun Marsh, squarely in the frame to replace Chris Rogers at Edgbaston given the incumbent opener’s ongoing balance problems after being struck behind the right ear in the previous Test, met his requirement by voluntarily ending both his innings with a match aggregate 131 runs to his name.

READ: Rogers rejoins team

WATCH: Shaun Marsh's timely ton

Thus the only concern for Australia heading into a third day that was finally played under bright sunshine but called off 90 minutes early by agreement between both sides was that those who had missed out on the opening day be granted a second go.

A wish that looked likely arrive at pace when Derbyshire were reduced to 7-129 midway through the morning session after Mitchell Marsh tore through the middle-order with three quick wickets.

Australia's Test allrounder Mitch Marsh backed up his fifty with the bat and claimed three wickets in the first session on day three against Derbyshire

But was then delayed by two hours when the local bowlers took a fancy to legspinner Fawad Ahmed, especially seamer Tony Palladino who clouted 83 from 67 balls including four hefty sixes.

So it was less than an hour before tea when Derbyshire were eventually bowled out for 259 – 154 runs in arrears – and so anxious was Clarke to find some touch he elevated himself to open alongside the elder Marsh.

A role that he’s performed so rarely at first-class level it represents it represents a statistical anomaly in his gilded career.

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The pair were untroubled in the period prior to tea against a bowling attack that appeared far more combative with bats in hand, but once Marsh opted not to return from the break in order to give Voges a hit it could all have changed quite quickly for the skipper.

Clarke swished at the second delivery of the final session, the first over of the innings from 19-year-old first-grade debutant Will Davis, and edged a chance through to half pint-sized wicketkeeper Harvey Hosein who flung out an oversized right glove but turfed the chance.

Clarke, on 19 at the time, immediately re-scratched his guard on the crease line as Davis clasped his hands to his head scarcely able to believe how close he had come to claiming the Australia captain in consecutive innings of his maiden first-class appearance.

In the space of three balls, to boot.

But instead he finished his second innings as a first-class bowler with 0-18 while Clarke found some fluency against an enthusiastic but distinctly greenhorn attack, striking a series of crisp drives and pull shots to the fence to remain 44 not out and with momentum heading into Edgbaston.

Voges, who also fell cheaply to the teenage fast bowler in Australia’s first innings, enjoyed a far more productive final hour than first day and, while his unbeaten 16 will hardly feature in his career highlights reel, it was useful time spent.

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As was Mitchell Marsh’s bowling effort on the final day, which he finished with 4-41 but also bowled as quickly as anyone in an attack that included Pat Cummins (1-56) and Peter Siddle (1-56).

While Shane Watson was the most economical bowler with a miserly 1-30 from 14 overs – a sharp contract to Fawad’s 3-68 from 20 and a half – he is even less likely to make muster for the third Test than Rogers who is expected to return to some level of training on Monday.

READ: Test XI takes shape in Derby

The team heads to Birmingham tomorrow where forecast inclement weather looms as the biggest threat to their third Test preparations.

Day two highlights: Peter Nevill kept wicket, Brad Haddin patrolled the field gloveless and Pat Cummins made a very welcome return to red ball cricket in Derby

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