Southampton: Australia's batsmen have been flattened under friendly fire in their pre-Ashes intra-squad match, with the Dukes ball and the tourists' fast bowlers completely dominating on a lively pitch at Hampshire's Ageas Bowl.
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Split into two teams of 12 captained by Tim Paine and Travis Head and named after assistant coaches Brad Haddin and Graeme Hick, it was an extraordinary day out for pacemen in 31-degree heat in England's south, depriving those expected to feature in Australia's top six at Edgbaston useful time in the middle while others trying to force their way in missed opportunities.
David Warner, Marcus Harris, Head, Kurtis Patterson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb all departed in single figures for their respective teams, as did wicketkeepers Tim Paine and Alex Carey.
Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns and Matthew Wade managed 17, 18 and 10 respectively facing the big three of Australian fast bowling Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Only a gutsy Marnus Labuschagne (41), batting at No. 3 for the Haddin side, made a genuine impression in tough batting conditions, while Mitchell Marsh was next best with 29.
The flipside was that they were undone by excellent bowling led by a superb Cummins (3-15) on a pitch, grassy on top, dry underneath and designed to give batsmen a tough workout before the first Test in Birmingham, starting on Thursday week.
Fringe squad candidates Michael Neser (4-18) and Jackson Bird (3-28) were in fine form for the Haddin XII alongside James Pattinson (1-16), who demonstrated with an eye-catching two spells just why is in the picture to make a first Ashes appearance in six years.
Not to be outdone, Cummins starred in the afternoon while Hazlewood (1-20) and Starc (0-38) bowled strongly for the Hick XII, as did veteran Peter Siddle (3-20), who is likely to join the big three and Pattinson in Australia's final Ashes squad.
While the batsmen floundered, and there remain questions about how they will cope against the moving ball in England, the glass half full perspective was that it won't be them having to face Cummins and co from next week.
Australia's fast bowlers and spinner Nathan Lyon could well be their trump card if they are to be successful in capturing a first Ashes series victory away from home since 2001 and to see their armoury of quicks in full flight was as encouraging.
The batsmen's output was undeniably underwhelming though. While head coach Justin Langer did not want his players simply plundering runs on a road and was eager for them to have match practice in difficult conditions, the rate at which they succumbed was far from ideal.
"As a batting unit, obviously it was a tough day for everyone," Labuschagne said. "But I think there are some positives as well. The bowlers bowled extremely well in both teams.
"It was quite tough to score as well. It was obviously a bowlers' day but as a batting unit, both teams are going to have to find a way to get some runs in the second innings."
All in all, 17 wickets fell for 201 runs on day one of the exhibition, which is due to culminate with the announcement of the series squad on Friday night (Saturday morning AEST).
It is not completely clear how much a selection trial this match is. Langer and national selector Trevor Hohns are likely to already have a pretty firm idea of who will be staying with the tour party behind this weekend.
Most interest lies with who will fill the seven batting spots in the squad, and the place that will probably be available for an all-rounder. Labuschagne could potentially be considered in both categories with his part-time leg-breaks and did himself a big favour on Tuesday with an innings that was no monster but stood out among the rest. In the conditions it was fair to say his contribution was worth more than what was recorded on the scoresheet.
Beyond that there wasn't a great deal of clarity added on Tuesday.
All eyes were on Wade, who scored three centuries on the Australia A tour of England in the past month after a prolific Sheffield Shield season and while he is almost certain to be included in the squad, he would have liked made a compelling final audition here.
Batting at No. 4 for the Hick XII, the former Test wicketkeeper departed in frustrating circumstances late in the afternoon, given out caught behind to Hazlewood when he didn't seem sure he had edged the ball. He spoke to the umpire, who had judged him out, as he begrudgingly walked off, but as it was only a practice match there was no Decision Review System in place to save him.
While Wade had to go at the hands of Hazlewood, at the other end Cummins caused havoc, most notably removing Smith for nine.
The sight of the world's No. 1 ranked Test bowler steaming in against Smith was a rare one for anyone who isn't around regularly to watch them in the nets. Even the former Test captain had no answer on Tuesday, chopping onto his stumps trying to drive Cummins.
SMH
SCORECARD
HADDIN XII First innings
D Warner c Wade b Neser 4
M Harris lbw Neser 6
M Labuschagne c Paine b Pattinson 41
T Head c Smith b Bird 1
K Patterson lbw Bird 2
W Pucovski c Paine b Tremain 4
A Carey lbw Bird 6
P Cummins b Neser 14
M Starc c Smith b Neser 14
P Siddle not out 5
J Hazlewood c Handscomb b Marsh 0
TOTAL: 105 (42.5 overs)
Bowling: M Neser 10-3-18-4, J Pattinson 10-2-16-1, J Bird 11-3-28-3, C Tremain 5-3-15-1, N Lyon 3-0-10-0, M Marsh 3.5-0-13-1.
HICK XII First innings
C Bancroft c Carey b Cummins 17
J Burns lbw Siddle 18
S Smith b Cummins 9
M Wade c Carey b Hazlewood 10
P Handscomb lbw Cummins 2
M Marsh b Siddle 29
T Paine c Carey b Siddle 2
J Pattinson not out 2
TOTAL: 7-96 (36.4 overs)
Bowling: M Starc 9-0-38-0, J Hazlewood 10-4-20-1, P Siddle 9.4-3-20-3, P Cummins 7-1-15-3, J Holland 1-0-2-0.
