Sheffield Shield: Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh find form at the right time

Daniel Ramus

Sheffield Shield: Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh find form at the right time image

Leading contenders for Australian Test selection were on show on a crucial day of Sheffield Shield action around the country.

High-profile batsmen had their chance at the crease, with valuable time in the middle on offer ahead of the first Test against India in Adelaide on December 6.

With Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft all unavailable due to suspension, the door is wide open for anyone at Shield level to earn selection.

Here's how they all fared on Sunday.

MORE: Shane Warne: India favourites for Test series against Australia

 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 251 & 268, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 207 & 4/146 (STUMPS, DAY THREE)

The Marsh brothers put on a timely show of form in Adelaide. Shaun reached an unbeaten 57 by stumps, and will be hoping to guide the Warriors to victory on the final day. They require a further 167 runs with six wickets in hand.

Mitch provided him with assistance, scoring an entertaining 44 off 66 balls, hitting a six and six fours. The pair put together an 83-run stand.

Earlier on in the day, South Australia wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen hung in for a gritty 82, helping the Redbacks to 268 in their second dig. Tom Cooper provided a handy support act with 49.

WA paceman Matthew Kelly was the best of their bowlers, claiming five scalps.

 

NEW SOUTH WALES 279 & 3/360 DEC., QUEENSLAND 260 & 2/51 (STUMPS, DAY THREE)

Openers Nick Larkin and Daniel Hughes put the Blues in a winning position in Canberra, amassing a 251-run stand. Hughes made 116, while Larkin finished the innings on 175 not out, including 23 boundaries, as New South Wales compiled 3/360 declared.

Hughes made Queensland pay after Mark Steketee put him down when he was on just 26. As it turned out, the dropped catch cost the Bulls 90 runs.

It was Larkin's highest first-class score, and his first Shield hundred in four years. It was also the fourth-highest individual score of the Shield season for any team.

Jason Sangha, the 19-year-old touted by former Test spinner Kerry O'Keeffe as the best batsman technically since Ricky Ponting, helped Larkin set the Bulls a huge target of 380 for victory, with a quickfire 32 not out off 21 balls.

Queensland opener Matt Renshaw couldn't replicate his NSW opposites, falling for just six to Josh Hazlewood. It was a blow to Renshaw's hopes of selection for Adelaide.

It was a similar story for Marnus Labuschagne, lasting just three balls for his four runs. He nicked one off Mitchell Starc.

Joe Burns was the one shining light for the Bulls, steadying the ship with an unbeaten 37, and he'll resume on Monday morning.

 

TASMANIA 81 & 2/196, VICTORIA 282 (STUMPS, DAY TWO)

Tasmanian opener Alex Doolan came into calculations for Test selection, making 94 before he was heartbreakingly dismissed by Peter Siddle just short of a century.

Doolan and Jordan Silk (77*) put together a 170-run opening partnership.

Daniel Ramus