Sheffield Shield: David Warner fails to fire yet again as Mitchell Starc rediscovers best in fiery spell
The respective Ashes form of Steve Smith and David Warner is being replicated at Sheffield Shield level in NSW’s clash with Tasmania.
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Steve Smith’s first ton on Australian soil since last year’s South African ball tampering scandal has the NSW Blues well placed heading into day three of their Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania at Drummoyne Oval.
The Blues, 2-275 at stumps, lead the Tasmanians by seven runs after Smith (102) and Moises Henriques (116) both stepped up with the bat.
David Warner’s form, though, must be a worry for Aussie selectors even though he is considered a certainty for the first Test next month against Pakistan.
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Warner fell for just one run against Tasmania to evoke memories of his rough Ashes series that yielded only 95 runs.
He had looked back to his best with a sparkling 125 in NSW’s first innings against Queensland at the Gabba last week.
But what has followed in two subsequent knocks shows he may not yet be over his England nightmare.
After being knocked over first ball in NSW’s second innings at the Gabba courtesy of a Michael Neser delivery, he has now fallen in similar fashion for just one against Tasmania.
Fortunately for the Blues, Warner’s woes didn’t cost them as Australian paceman Mitchell Starc boosted his chances of a Test recall with a five-wicket haul.
The Baulkham Hills-born product took 3-4 to finish with 5-40 off 24.3 overs.
Tasmania were dismissed for 268, adding just 10 to their overnight score of 6-258.
Spinner Steve O’Keefe made the initial breakthrough, trapping Alex Pyecroft lbw with the third ball of the day with just one run added.
Starc struck twice in three balls in the following over, bowling Sam Rainbird and Australian captain Tim Paine.
The left-arm quick ended the innings by having Riley Meredith caught behind by Blues captain Peter Nevill.
Tasmania lost 7-47 after being well placed at 3-221. Beau Webster top-scored with 65 and Alex Doolan made 58.
Originally published as Sheffield Shield: David Warner fails to fire yet again as Mitchell Starc rediscovers best in fiery spell