Cricket-Australia’s Starc takes hat-trick in Sheffield Shield

SYDNEY, Nov 6 (Reuters) – Australian paceman Mitchell Starc issued an ominous warning to England ahead of the Ashes series with a hat-trick for New South Wales on day two of the Sheffield Shield on Monday.

The quick, who will lead Australia’s attack when the series begins later this month, claimed the wickets of Jason Behrendorff, David Moody and Simon Mackin in successive deliveries to end the Western Australian first innings.

Behrendorff and Mackin were bowled by Starc’s yorkers in the four-dayer at Hurstville Oval, while Moody was declared lbw trying to defend another.

The left-armer finished with figures of 4-65 while Josh Hazlewood, who is likely to open the bowling with Starc against England, did damage at the top of the West Australian order with 3-24.

Australia’s third front-row quick Pat Cummins took 2-31 while Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed a single wicket at the cost of 39 runs.

Shaun Marsh (2), Mitchell Marsh (0) and Hilton Cartwright (0), all hoping to fill the vacant sixth spot in Australia’s batting line-up, did themselves no favors as Western Australia fell for 176 in reply at 270 hosts.

The Ashes begin at the Gabba in Brisbane on November 23 and Australia’s squad for the series is expected to be announced after this round of Sheffield Shield matches are completed. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)