Sydney

Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins bowled to Blues batters Ryan Gibson and Ryan Hackney at Moore Park on Thursday while their Test opponents India slogged it out against the Cricket Australia XI at the SCG.

After being withheld from NSW’s JLT Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia in Perth, the three quicks have been building their bowling loads for the December 6 showdown with Kohli and co. in the nets against high-calibre opposition.

On Sunday, Hazlewood and Cummins steamed in to suspended opener David Warner at the SCG, bowling with extreme pace and accuracy in testing the left-hander’s technique and temperament.

Starc missed that session after he was a last-minute call-up for Australia’s third Gillette T20 international in Sydney, where he took 1-26 from four overs and reached speeds of 147kph.

The trio returned to the nets on Tuesday to face banned captain Steve Smith, who gave as good as he got and displayed all his trademark shots against the great pace.

Hazlewood caused Smith the most trouble and floored the animated right-hander with a well-aimed bouncer. Smith took on the short ball but lost his footing while swiveling on his hook shot but spent next to no time on his backside as he returned to his feet in an instant.

On Thursday, the triumvirate had their final hit-out at the SCG against the Blues pair, and like they have in their previous sessions over the past five days, bowled eight overs each.

They will now rest up before flying to Adelaide on Saturday ahead of the first Test.

Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!

Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!

Click here for iOS

Click here for Android