Batsman Steve Smith has scored 23 in his return from concussion on day two of the Ashes tour match in Derby, where Mitchell Starc was among the Australians to give selectors plenty to think about.
Notably batting with a StemGuard in his first match since being struck on the exposed neck by a Jofra Archer bouncer in the second test, Smith barely got out of second gear, while spending 47 minutes at the crease.
Smith had previously refused to wear a clip-on neck protector, because it made him feel claustrophobic.
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The gifted batsman shuffled purposely to the middle, as Australia learned Jimmy Anderson would play no further part in the series, but any hope Smith had of confronting a bouncer barrage - after declaring he was ready to face one - evaporated quickly.
Derbyshire used eight bowlers during Australia's first innings of 338/5 declared, but Smith faced only three - legspinner Matt Critchley, offspinner Hamidullah Qadri and seamer Anuj Dal.
The former skipper went down swinging at Critchley, whose first-class bowling average was 51.86, while Dal lacked the pace to terrorise Smith with any short stuff.
Unsatisfied with the tune-up for the fourth test, which starts at Old Trafford on Wednesday, Smith headed to the nets shortly after being dismissed.
Among a stack of stars rested from the game, David Warner gave Smith some throwdowns in a battle that captivated fans' interest almost as much as the ongoing contest in the middle.
Marcus Harris (64) and Usman Khawaja (72) both registered half-centuries in their selection showdown, but batting at first drop, Mitch Marsh top-scored with 74.
Smith's return will prompt coach Justin Langer and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns to make at least one change to the XI that suffered a one-wicket loss in Leeds, with Harris and Khawaja considered most at risk.
All seven of Australia's batsmen reached double figures.
Derbyshire reached 53/3 at stumps, still trailing the visitors by 113 runs.
Starc snared 2/16 from five overs, trapping Dal lbw for one, after skittling Billy Godleman's stumps.
The left-armer, who grabbed three wickets in Derbyshire's first innings on day one, was overlooked for the first three tests, but remains in the mix for a recall.
AAP
