Australian captain Michael Clarke is grinding his way towards a confidence-boosting century for NSW in their home Sheffield Shield opener against Tasmania.
Returning from a six-week injury layoff, Clarke was 70 not out at tea on day one of the four-day fixture, knowing that big runs would give Australia a major lift just three weeks out from the start of the Ashes.
NSW were 3-164 from 60 overs as they looked to take advantage of winning the toss in ideal batting conditions at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Fellow Test batsman Steve Smith was not out on 6, after Scott Henry fell for 48.
Clarke was playing a watchful innings, facing 103 balls for his half century, but it’s valuable time in the middle after the back injury which prevented him travelling to India with the ODI team.
The 32-year-old had eight boundaries to his name, including a lovely off-drive down the ground and some nice cut shots.
Clarke is hoping to play in all three of NSW’s Shield matches leading into the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on November 21.
Defending Shield champions Tasmania were missing Australian ODI players George Bailey and James Faulkner, but made a strong start, removing the NSW openers in quick succession.
Test hopeful Ben Hilfenhaus got the scalp of key man David Warner, snaring the big-hitting star 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.