Quantcast

Mixed fortunes for Aussie Test stars

Find out how Australia's Test players fared before their departure for South Africa

There were mixed fortunes for Australia's Test stars during the round of JLT Sheffield Shield that was completed on Sunday.

Australia's Test players will depart for South Africa later this week and eight members of the squad fine-tuned their preparations around Australia as Dukes balls were introduced to Shield cricket for the first time this summer.

PETER HANDSCOMB
(0 & 114no)

Timely hundred in Adelaide for Handscomb

Handscomb did his chances of winning a Test recall no harm with a match-winning century for Victoria against South Australia in Adelaide.

Chasing 252 for victory on the final day at the Adelaide Oval, the Bushrangers badly needed a captain’s knock and that's exactly what Handscomb delivered.

The Victoria skipper contributed an unbeaten 114 to guide his side home and that more than made up for his seven-ball duck in the first innings.

The timely knock will give Handscomb, the only reserve batsman in Australia's touring party, plenty of confidence as he heads to South Africa.

CAMERON BANCROFT
(38 & 13)

Hussey wants selectors to stick with Bancroft

Australia's incumbent opening batsman looked good during Western Australia's first innings in Perth, but as he'd done during the Ashes, he was unable to go on with it and was out for 38.

He was out for 13 in the second innings and while his spot appears safe for the start of the series against the Proteas, he will be hoping for more runs when Australia take on a Cricket South Africa Invitation XI in a three-day tour game that commences on February 22.

Especially with Handscomb in the runs and desperate to force his way back into the Test XI. 

JACKSON BIRD
(0-44 & 1-41)

Bird forced from field with hamstring strain

Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the Shield round was the hamstring injury suffered by Tasmanian Jackson Bird.

Bird went wicketless during Queensland's first innings at the Gabba, but picked up the scalp of Lachlan Pfeffer in his first over of the second innings as Tasmania attempted to work their way back into the contest.

However, Bird left the field clutching his hamstring late on the second day and was sent for scans, the results of which are expected in the coming days.

Bird's injury could pave the way for the likes of Chadd Sayers, Peter Siddle or another paceman to be included as cover for the South Africa series should Bird be ruled out.

MITCHELL MARSH
(8 & 14, 4-50 & 0-34)

Mitchell Marsh fires with four wickets in the west

The Australia allrounder showed glimpses of his best during the match, with four valuable scalps during New South Wales' first innings as he continues to improve his bowling after a long absence due to shoulder surgery.

Marsh picked up figures of 4-50 and 0-34, but contributed just 8 and 14 from two hits with the bat and will be keen for some runs in the warm-up match to start the tour.

SHAUN MARSH
(29 & 39)

Shaun Marsh adds second Ashes century

One of Australia's Ashes heroes got a start in both innings for Western Australia, but failed to go on and register a big score.

Marsh contributed 29 in the first innings before being unlucky to be given out caught behind down the leg side off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.

On the lookout for quick runs in the second innings, he hit seven fours and scored 39 from just 51 deliveries as Western Australia wrapped up a four-wicket triumph.

NATHAN LYON
(3-59 & 1-15)

Lyon completes magnificent seven over Moeen

The experienced off-spinner bowled well in Perth on a WACA Ground pitch that traditionally offers little assistance to the tweakers.

Lyon picked up three wickets (3-59 from 20 overs) during Western Australia's first innings and bowled just five overs (1-15) on the final day, picking up the valuable wicket of Ashton Turner.

Those overs should hold Lyon in good stead for the tour of South Africa as he is likely to play a crucial role in helping Australia triumph in tricky conditions away from home.

JHYE RICHARDSON
(1-30 & 0-55)

Richardson grabs his maiden ODI wicket

Uncapped paceman Jhye Richardson failed to make too much of an impact during Western Australia's Shield clash against New South Wales in Perth.

Richardson managed just one wicket for the entire match and that was the scalp of New South Wales tailender Mickey Edwards.

Much of the damage was done by Simon Mackin and Matthew Kelly, who shared 10 wickets between them during the Blues' second dig.

JON HOLLAND
(0-78 & 1-57)

Holland finds form quickly in Shield return

Nathan Lyon's back-up for the Test tour didn't make too much of an impact for Victoria in their Shield clash against South Australia in Adelaide.

Holland was wicketless (0-78) from 15 overs during South Australia's first innings and picked up just the one scalp (Jake Lehmann) on his way to figures of 1-57 from 17 overs in the second dig.

Qantas tour of South Africa

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match v SA Invitational XI, Sahara Park, Benoni, Feb 22-24

First Test Kingsmead, Durban, March 1-5

Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3