NEW South Wales wicketkeeper Peter Nevill failed to jump ahead of Alex Carey and Matt Wade in the race to become Australia’s Ashes gloveman as a tough first-class round for Test wannabes continued.
The Blues posted 242 and a 150-run, first innings lead in the Sheffield Shield opener against South Australia in Adelaide but Nevill (20) was trapped in front by seamer Joe Mennie (2/42).
Redbacks custodian Carey made 12 as wickets tumbled in SA’s first innings 92 on Friday. Tasmanian and incumbent Test keeper Wade (1) lasted three balls before claimed by Western Australia’s Simon Mackin in Perth.
Wade, 29, is destined to be given first crack against England despite averaging 20 with the bat in 10 Tests over the past 12 months. Yet, Australian coach Darren Lehmann ‘wants runs’ and ‘would love someone averaging over 30’ as Test custodian.
Wade’s rivals must press their cases with elite displays over the three Shield rounds before the Brisbane Ashes opener from November 23.
Redbacks opening pair Jake Weatherald (30) and John Dalton (21) delivered an unbroken 53-run stand that reduced the first innings deficit to 97 at dinner. The young duo were rewarded for positive stroke play but Weatherald was dropped on 19 by Steve Smith at second slip off Pat Cummins.
Lehmann was in Adelaide to handle the Ashes auditions and monitor the progress of gun speedsters Mitch Starc and Cummins. It was Trent Copeland who stole the limelight with 6-24 on day one. Redbacks linchpin Chadd Sayers’ 4-64 reinforced his standing as the paceman most deserving of a baggy green outside of the Test XI on day two.
Having removed Test skipper Steve Smith (3) and Kurtis Patterson (14) on Friday, Sheffield Shield player of 2016-17 Sayers returned to clean up Starc (23) and Cummins (9).
The Blues folded for 242 with Daniel Hughes (57) justifying his controversial inclusion ahead of Steve Waugh Medallist Ed Cowan while Test star David Warner top scored with 83.
Redacks skipper Travis Head continued his habit of breaking partnerships with innocuous deliveries to prevent a Hughes ton. Hughes followed a delivery from part-time spinner Head down leg-side and flicked uppishly to Callum Ferguson, diving full stretch to intercept at mid-wicket.
Head could have had two wickets but rookie John Dalton spilled a difficult running chance off Starc on 15
Having resumed at 5/153, Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon (8) was last man out for the Blues, skittled by Daniel Worrall (2/64).
Head, coveting a Test debut at No.6 was after significant runs in SA’s second dig after making 8 on Friday. Hilton Cartwright (61) and Shaun Marsh (63) made half-centuries in Western Australia’a first innings against Tasmania. Current Test No.6, Victoria’s Glenn Maxwell, missed out against Queensland at the Gabba with scores of 7 and 20.
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