Australian captain Michael Clarke is spending valuable time in the middle for NSW in their Sheffield Shield opener against Tasmania at Blacktown.
Clarke is 27 not out at lunch on day one of the four-day fixture, knowing that big runs will give Australia a major confidence boost just three weeks out from the start of the Ashes.
NSW are 2-91 from 30 overs as they look to take advantage of winning the toss in ideal batting conditions at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Scott Henry is the other not out batsman on 25.
Clarke made a watchful start to his innings, in his return after six weeks out with a back injury which prevented him travelling to India with Australia’s one-day team.
The 32-year-old has three boundaries to his name, including a lovely off-drive down the ground for four.
Clarke has been the focus of some unwanted publicity of late, following comments made in Ricky Ponting’s autobiography questioning his attitude when Australian vice-captain.
The right-hander is hoping to play in all three of NSW’s Shield matches leading into the first Ashes Test in Brisbane starting on November 21.
Defending Shield champions Tasmania are missing Australian ODI players George Bailey and James Faulkner, but made a strong start on Wednesday by removing the NSW openers in quick succession.
Test hopeful Ben Hilfenhaus got the scalp of key man David Warner, snaring him caught and bowled for 21.
It was a disappointing exit for Warner who was in supreme form in the domestic one-day tournament, where he smashed three centuries.
Fellow big-hitting left-hander Nic Maddinson went five overs later, caught by Ben Dunk off the bowling of Sam Rainbird for 15.