Derbyshire vs. Australians: Day 3 Takeaways from the Tour Match

Australia ended up drawing their tour match with Derbyshire—hardly a surprise considering Day 2 was ruined by rain.

Resuming on 81 for two, the English county were bowled out for 259 in their first innings. 

It could have been a lot worse had it not been for some big hitting from Tony Palladino, with the seamer hammering 82 from 68 balls.

The tourists opted for some batting practice before the two teams agreed to shake hands, with captain Michael Clarke finishing up unbeaten on 44 out of his side's score of 95 for one.

Despite the lack of a positive outcome, there are still a few takeaways to be gleaned from Saturday's action. 

All seams well in the bowling department

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Australia, quite rightly, opted to rest their Test attack for the trip to Derby.

Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc were all given the chance to rest up ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston, while spinner Nathan Lyon was also allowed to take a break.

The one Test member on duty was Mitchell Marsh. He showed his value with the ball in the second Test at Lord's with three important wickets, and he carried on his form with four Derbyshire wickets.

The all-rounder—who made a half-century in Australia's first-innings total of 413 for nine—bowled an impressive 70 dot balls in his 15 overs.

Pat Cummins only picked up a wicket, but the paceman will benefit from getting through 17 overs. He had not played in a first-class fixture for two years.

The performances of both bowlers show Australia's cupboard is overflowing with seam bowlers.

Clarke gets another chance

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Australia's captain opened for his team in the second innings, making an unbeaten 44.

The right-hander hit eight fours during his 74-ball knock; though he was fortunate to survive an early chance that afforded him some extra time at the crease.

In his report for ESPN Cricinfo, Daniel Brettig writes: "His feet appeared more inclined to movement than they have been for some time, particularly after he threw his hands at a delivery from Will Davis that was dropped by the wicketkeeper Harvey Hosein, denying the 19-year-old debutant the prize of taking Clarke's wicket for the second time in the match."

Clarke has so far managed 81 runs in the Ashes series, with his average of 27 helped by an unbeaten 32 when setting up a declaration on Day 4 at Lord's.

He will still be desperate to make a contribution against England this summer, but his 96 minutes out in the middle against Derby won't have done him any harm.

Rogers makes a great waiter

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Perhaps the most important thing for Australia on Day 3 didn't actually happen to anyone involved in the match.

While Chris Rogers was unable to take the field against Derbyshire—one of his former employers—the opener was fit enough to run out drinks for his team-mates.

The opening batsman was forced to retire hurt during Day 4 of the second Test after suffering a dizzy spell.

However, Australia's team doctor Peter Brukner is hopeful Rogers could still feature in the next Test at Edgbaston, per BBC Sport: "Chris will increase his level of activity over the next days and be monitored."

Rogers will be desperate to play in Birmingham: Although he made 173 and 49 not out in the last Test, the left-hander will be loath to give up his place in the XI, particularly after Shaun Marsh made a century against Derbyshire.

The unlikely batting hero

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Palladino seems to like facing Australian bowling.

He made his one-and-only first-class century against Australia A at the same venue in 2012, hitting 106 after being sent in as a nightwatchman.

On that occasion, the seam bowler enjoyed himself against an attack that included Johnson and Starc.

In 2015, he took a particular liking to Fawad Ahmed.

However, the leg-spinner had the last laugh, getting Palladino caught by substitute fielder Lyon.

Still, the tail-ender's big hitting provided some entertainment on an otherwise mundane day of cricket.