Mitchell Perry has claimed the prized scalp of Steve Smith to help Victoria reduce NSW to 4-51 at lunch on day one of the star-studded Sheffield Shield clash in Sydney.
Perry, who made his first-class debut earlier this summer, found Smith’s edge with a delivery on a good length at the SCG.
Wicketkeeper Seb Gotch completed the dismissal, triggering jubilant celebrations from 20-year-old paceman Perry.
Smith was out for seven, having weathered a testing new-ball examination from James Pattinson after being summoned to the middle during the fifth over of the innings.
Pattinson, who was on drinks duty for Australia’s first two Tests against India then suffered an untimely rib injury that ruined his hopes of featuring in the series, bent his back while backing up Victoria’s decision to bowl first.
Pattinson removed openers Daniel Hughes and Nick Larkin, who are the only members of NSW’s top six without Test experience, as the hosts crashed to 4-47.
Hughes, who made 24 after being dropped on two, is the only NSW batsman to reach double figures at the SCG.
Pattinson created a short-leg chance to dismiss Hughes during his opening spell, which was put down by Jake Fraser-McGurk, then returned to the attack to make a mess of the Blues’ opener’s stumps.
Will Sutherland claimed the other wicket to fall, trapping Kurtis Patterson lbw for four.
David Warner is still recovering from the groin injury he played with during the SCG and Gabba Tests while Pat Cummins has been rested.
But Smith, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are among the the big names in the Blues’ side.