Starc crushes SA as Warner, Smith shine

David Warner made a run-scoring return from injury before more of Mitchell Starc's incredible form with the ball reduced the South Australia top order to rubble under the Adelaide Oval lights.

Warner, in his comeback innings from a broken thumb, posted a composed 77, batting for three hours before an unlikely South Australian source caused some NSW batting blues in their Sheffield Shield match.

WATCH: Warner has thumb scare in half-century

The spin of South Australia captain Travis Head triggered a NSW slide, before the Blues eventually declared at 9-262 after losing their last eight wickets for 90 runs.

South Australia then wobbled to 3-3 at stumps, their top three – Kelvin Smith, Mark Cosgrove and Callum Ferguson – all dismissed for ducks as Test quick Starc took 2-1 from three overs.

Earlier, Head claimed 3-42, his best first-class figures, capturing the prized wickets of Warner, captain Steve Smith (67) and Nic Maddinson (17).

WATCH: Head puts Blues in a spin

Warner, watched by national coach Darren Lehmann, proved his fitness of the first Test against New Zealand, starting on November 5.

The left-hander and Smith combined for a 120-run partnership for the second wicket to put their state in command at 1-172.

But Head, who had only five first-class wickets entering the game, snared three of the next four scalps against a NSW line-up boasting nine Test players.

The Blues batsmen, and later their SA counterparts, can't blame the pink ball, which behaved truly and didn't lose its lustre at a venue where the inaugural day-night Test will be played later next month.

WATCH: Smith scores heavily again

Warner was scratchy early on return from a broken thumb suffered on September 5, and was gifted a reprieve on 21 when Cosgrove turfed a sitter of a catch at first slip off the bowling of Joe Mennie (3-45).

But the left-hander gained fluency with each delivery of his 114-ball knock, and his only obvious physical discomfort was when he was struck on the damaged thumb by Adam Zampa.

Warner rapidly shook off the blow and continued batting before causing his own demise when caught at cover trying an extravagant drive off Head.

His skipper soon followed, unlucky to be judged caught – Smith appeared to hit the ground with his bat and miss the ball, which evaded wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman and was caught by Tom Cooper at first slip, diving to his left.

WATCH: All the wickets from day one at Adelaide

South Australia: Travis Head (capt), Tom Cooper, Mark Cosgrove, Callum Ferguson, Jake Lehmann, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, Kelvin Smith, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa

NSW: Ed Cowan, David Warner, Nic Maddinson, Steve Smith (capt), Moises Henriques, Peter Nevill, Sean Abbott, Stephen O'Keefe, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Doug Bollinger.