Watson and Marsh return to action

In a headline-making weekend for grade cricket across the country, Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd outscored returning Test pair Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh … though the standard of bowling the ex-Aussie Rules star had to contend with may have been a little less challenging.

Playing for Bentleigh ANA D-grade on Saturday in Melbourne’s South-East Cricket Association, Lloyd scored 16 fours in his 117 at the top of the order, as his side piled on 7-330 in 65 overs (full scorecard here).

In promising news for Australia ahead of a huge summer, Watson made an assured return from long-term injury, scoring 37 from 43 balls in a Sydney club Twenty20 match for Sutherland on Sunday.

The Australia allrounder has been out of action since stepping on a ball at a training session ahead of an ODI tour of Zimbabwe in August.

Originally it was an ankle problem which ruled him out of going to Harare, but it was a related calf strain which ruled Watson out of Australia's current tour of the UAE where they are facing Pakistan in Tests, one-dayers and Twenty20 fixtures.

Watson is not back bowling at this stage, but looked strong with the bat in Sutherland's loss to St George at Coogee and appeared to pull through the work-out unscathed.

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There's an outside chance NSW may call upon Watson if they qualify for the Matador One-Day Cup final on Sunday, however it seems more likely the 33-year-old will be saved for NSW's season-opening Bupa Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria at the MCG starting on October 31.

Watson's innings for Sutherland is a good sign for Australia with short-form cricket coming up against South Africa next month and a World Cup looming at the start of next year.

The injury-prone star is making a cautious return to full duties and at this stage is only bowling off a three-step run-up in the nets.

However, Watson is pushing towards a full return to training in the coming days provided he pulls up fresh from Sunday.

Across the country, Marsh also took his first official steps back into the game, turning out for grade side Fremantle on Saturday.

Batting at No.3, Marsh made 87 from 117 deliveries, batting for two-and-a-half hours to give his elbow – which underwent surgery in July – a strong workout.

Fremantle only managed 167 all out, with the match later abandoned due to the thunderstorms that threatened the ground.

"It's been a long four months and it was nice to get back out there and play some competitive cricket today," Marsh said.

"It was nice to spend a bit of time in the middle and build to that first Sheffield Shield game that I hope to play.

"I've got another club game next week and I'll play the first two days of the Futures League next Monday.

"So, there's a few more hits and I'm feeling really confident in my body and the way I'll be hitting them in a couple of weeks."

The 31-year-old was limited in the field, as he is yet to resume throwing.

The Warriors’ opening Bupa Sheffield Shield match is against Tasmania on October 31.

Former Test paceman Brett Lee also played a T20 fixture in Sydney grade cricket on Sunday, the paceman revving up for his KFC T20 Big Bash League swansong by taking three Manly top-order wickets for Mosman and finishing with 3-21 from his four overs.

Lee then got a dose of his own medicine while batting, bowled from the very first delivery he faced (full scorecard here).