Pace pair on path back to Australia team

Friday's Matador BBQs One-Day Cup delivered not only a win to defending champions NSW Blues but perhaps more importantly some promising news to Australia's selectors.

The first piece of good news came before a ball was bowled at Hurstville Oval in Sydney's south when injured Australia tearaway Mitchell Starc walked to the middle without his leg brace.

Quick Single: CA XI hearbreak as NSW win thriller

Starc has been sidelined since injuring his leg in a fielding mishap at the same venue a little more than three weeks ago which required surgery – 35 stitches and a leg brace to be worn so the wound could heal without moving.

Starc still sported a slight limp as he presented debutant Ben Dwarshius his maiden cap, No.173 for the Blues in 50-over cricket.

While he still moved gingerly around the ground before departing to continue his rehab, the sight of the 26-year-old walking sans leg brace bodes well for a first Test berth starting November 3 against South Africa in Perth.

Almost five hours later the second portion of good news was in full flight, literally, with returning quick Pat Cummins steaming in off his long run.

Cummins had been waylaid with injury since September 2015 when he was diagnosed with a lower lumbar bone stress fracture during Australia's ODI tour of the British Isles.

The 23-year-old was expected to return to elite cricket during the winter 'A' series in Queensland, but his comeback was pushed back to the start of the domestic summer.

The express right-armer looked a bit rusty in his opening spell, his new action less whippy than the previous version that generated extreme pace but also extreme pressure on his developing back.

With no speed gun at the ground it's difficult determine how fast Cummins was sending them down, but judging by the general lateness the CA XI top-order were playing the hostile quick, it's fair to say he was the quickest bowler on show.

It was with equal pace and accuracy that Cummins claimed his first wicket – CA XI opening batsman Jake Carder caught at gully by Kurtis Patterson slashing late to a full delivery in the speedster's third over.

With the game slipping away from the hosts due to a sensational 142-run partnership between Will Bosisto and Ryan Gibson, Cummins returned to remove the latter batsmen for a brilliant 97 and claw NSW back into the contest.

The following over Cummins effectively iced the match with two wickets from consecutive balls; first Bosisto caught at third-man and then Sam Harper for a golden duck after he scooped a catch to Nic Maddinson at deep square-leg.

Hard-hitting allrounder Matthew Short got stuck into Cummins' final over to inflate his figures to 4-70 from nine overs, but his skipper was more than pleased with his return match.

"He's only going to get better with every games he plays," Henriques said after play.

"He's so talented and he has so much pace, this is his first real competitive game back so he's only going to keep getting better."