Michael Hussey and Marcus North both failed with the bat Australia's top order struggled for runs in Sheffield Shield action.
Potential 'bowl-off' fails to take place due to low-scoring game
Under-pressure duo Michael Hussey and Marcus North both failed with the bat as Australia's top order struggled for runs in Sheffield Shield action.
Hussey didn't even get off the mark during his 18 balls at the crease for Western Australia in their fixture against Victoria in Melbourne.
What made matters even worse for the out-of-sorts left-hander is that it was his brother, David, who took the catch to dismiss him without scoring.
Team-mate North didn't fair much better, Nottinghamshire seamer Darren Pattinson, who won a single cap for England, getting rid of him for 17.
Concerns
To frustrate Hussey and North even further Mitchell Johnson came out at number eight to blaze his way to 82 not out from just 88 deliveries, helping Western Australia close day one at the MCG on 319-6.
Their lack of runs will have done little to ease their concerns over their places in Australia's side for the first Ashes Test at the 'Gabba in Brisbane.
At least neither of their rivals - Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson -
prospered for Australia 'A' against the tourists in Hobart.
Simon Katich also missed out on some valuable time in the middle on his return from a thumb injury, managing just a single for New South Wales.
The left-hander was one of four wickets for Luke Butterworth, the same bowler also dismissing Shane Watson for six. Brad Haddin contributed only 10 before New South Wales' innings ended at 97 after a mere 40.2 overs.
Tasmania's reply wasn't much better; Australia captain Ricky Ponting making seven out of their total of 125. Watson was back at the crease before the close, finishing up on 13 not out, but Katich did not open second time around.
The low scores ruined a potential 'bowl-off' between spinners Nathan Hauritz and Xavier Doherty for a place in Australia's side for the opening Test.
Off-spinner Hauritz's only contribution to the action was a first-ball duck for NSW, while slow left-armer Doherty sent down four wicketless overs. He did, though, make an unbeaten 20 with the bat.
