Steve Smith scores 23 in his first match since missing the third Test due to delayed concussion

Facing mainly part-time spinners in his first match since missing the third Test, Steve Smith took a surprising approach before being sent on his way. But the real battle was at the top of the order.

Steve Smith got out slogging in Australia’s tour match. Picture: Getty Images

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Steve Smith made just 23 in his first innings since his concussion blow at Lord’s, and then went straight to the nets for another hit as Australia piled on 338 runs against a lacklustre Derbyshire attack.

The two openers, who are supposed to be fighting for one spot in the fourth Test, contributed 154 between them in an Aussie run feast.

And while Usman Khawaja’s contribution to the run out of his batting partner Marcus Harris was an early talking point, Smith’s short stay drew the most attention.

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Facing mainly part-time spinners in his first match since missing the third Test due to delayed concussion, Smith looked uninterested and swatted 23 runs from 38 balls before going out slogging.

Smith tried to hoik leg-spinner Matt Critchley, who has a bowling average (52) almost as high as Smith’s batting average (63) out of the county ground but it skewed sideways and he was caught at deep-point.

Steve Smith got out slogging in Australia’s tour match. Picture: Getty Images

The shot even surprised the bowler, who has 58 other first class wickets, but said he could live off this one for a while.

“I’m not sure what his theory was, maybe he just thought he could hit every ball,” said Critchley, a 24-year-old all-rounder.

“I was quite surprised, I thought he would like some time in the middle after not playing. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.

“But you can make a name for yourself. You take one wicket like that and everyone from everywhere is commenting on it.”

The star batsman, who was wearing protective neck guards on his helmet which he says sends his heart “racing”, wasn’t too upset.

He kept his kit on after he went out and headed to the nets for nearly an hour of throw downs from teammate David Warner.

David Warner helped Steve Smith continue batting in the nets. Picture: AFP Photo

It left Mitch Marsh to knock out an untroubled 74, the highest of the innings after Khawaja was dismissed for 72, 10 runs after aiding in the dismissal of Harris for 62.

Harris had struck three fours earlier in the morning and was motoring before a direct hit, after setting off for a run that was his to call, cost him what looked like a century for the taking.

If the Victorian and Khawaja, his captain for the match, are indeed competing for one spot in the fourth Ashes Test at Manchester it was enough for those in the Harris corner to cry foul.

But the worth of the runs everyone scored could be just additions to their first class tallies with the quality of the local attack, including an opening bowler on debut, allowing all the batsmen to pile on.

There’s still no clarity on what selectors may do to accommodate Smith’s Test return, and the mood towards Harris missing out after just one match, despite Khawaja failing to pass 50 in six Ashes, is softening.

Marcus Harris looked in good touch before his run out. Picture: Getty Images

Even Marsh, who hit eight fours in his 118-ball innings, was just happy to have a hit, knowing only a deviation towards selecting an all-rounder would help him get a Test berth.

“When you are running drinks for the past six weeks, I was champing at the bit,” Marsh said.

“Sometimes these tour game can lag on a little bit but we try to be as professional as we can. I just wanted to get out there and play some cricket.

“I’ve just been preparing to play every game and waiting for a chance. If not, I’ll run the drinks as best I can.”

Australia finished the day on top, with Derbyshire 3-53, and still 117 runs behind after Mitchell Starc took 2-16 in his opening six over spell, with rain expected to end the match early on Saturday.