Shield offers few early clues for selectors

Australia's selectors are still waiting for the definitive answers they want when it comes to the two key issues facing the Test XI.

The opening salvos of the JLT Sheffield Shield season have so far failed to offer definitive solutions to the pressing issues surrounding Australia's Magellan Ashes side to take on England.

Wicketkeepers Matthew Wade, Peter Nevill and Alex Carey have all failed to post a large total with the bat.

And candidates for the hotly contested No.6 batting slot have produced mixed results.

Incumbent No.6 Glenn Maxwell returned scores of seven and 20 in Victoria's loss inside three days to Queensland.

South Australian skipper Travis Head fared worse – three and a golden duck against NSW, on the wrong end of a Mitchell Starc special in the Redbacks' second innings.

Another No.6 contender, NSW allrounder Moises Henriques, made 11 and may not get another bat against the Redbacks.

West Australian Marcus Stoinis made nine and 32 against Tasmania, though his teammate and two-Test allrounder Hilton Cartwright posted decent scores – 61 and 38.

Cartwright was batting at No.3 for the Warriors while state colleague Shaun Marsh, opening the batting, made 63 and 11 and Warriors captain and younger Marsh brother Mitchell made 36 and four.

And those in the race for the disputed wicketkeeping spot also couldn't offer a compelling early case for Test selection.

With runs rated as important as glovework, incumbent Matthew Wade made only one for Tasmania but will be eyeing a second-innings of substance.

Blues gloveman Nevill made 20 from 67 balls against SA – like Henriques, he's long-odds to get another bat given NSW's position of command entering day three on Sunday.

But Redbacks wicketkeeper Alex Carey is assured of another hit on Sunday after making 12 in the first dig against the Blues.