Mitchell Marsh Warms Up For Ashes Test With Four Wicket Haul

Australia's Mitchell Marsh took four wickets against Derbyshire on Saturday ahead of next week's third Ashes Test against England at Edgbaston. (Complete Ashes Coverage)

The lively all-rounder led the tourists' attack with four for 41 as Australia dismissed Derbyshire for 259 in reply to Australia's first innings 413 for nine declared, a deficit of 154 runs, on the third and final day at Derby on Saturday.

Derbyshire's Tony Palladino, primarily a seam bowler, top-scored in the innings with 82 off just 68 balls, including eight fours and four sixes. (Rogers Returns to Australia Squad)

Together with David Wainwright (38) he put on 105 for the eighth wicket. (Broad Backs England to Recover in Third Ashes Test)

Although Australia captain Michael Clarke could have enforced the follow-on, as Derbyshire were not within 150 runs of the tourists' first innings score, he chose to bat again instead.

Indeed Clarke, in a match where Australia's chances of victory had been reduced after rain washed out two-thirds of Friday's second day, promoted himself to open the innings.

At tea he was 19 not out, with Shaun Marsh unbeaten on 30.

Derbyshire resumed Saturday on 81 for two with skipper Wayne Madsen 14 not out and Scott Elstone unbeaten on 13.

Mitchell Marsh, who impressed in Australia's Ashes-levelling 405-run win in the second Test against at Lord's last week after Shane Watson was dropped following England's 169-run victory in the series opener in Cardiff, was the pick of the attack in an extended first session.

He had Elstone (19) caught in the gully by David Warner and, four legitimate balls later, pinned Madsen lbw for 19.

Mitchell Marsh struck again when he had Tom Knight (three) well caught low down at second slip by Adam Voges.

Derbyshire were then 104 for five, with Marsh having taken three wickets for nine runs in 19 balls.

Leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed then got in on the act, bowling Jonathan Clare to reduce Derbyshire to 116 for six.

Harvey Hosein (17) was then held by Watson, running round from fine leg, after hooking Peter Siddle.

But Wainwright and Palladino kept Australia at bay with an entertaining partnership.

Palladino, 37 not out at lunch, completed his fifty by hoisting Ahmed for two sixes and a four in three successive deliveries.

Mitchell Marsh broke the stand when he had Wainwright caught by second slip Clarke.

The 32-year-old Palladino struck Ahmed legside for six to go to 82.

But, in sight of what would have been just his second first-class hundred, Palladino holed out off Ahmed next ball when he tried to repeat the shot.

Paladino faced 68 balls, including eight fours and four sixes.

Ahmed finished the innings with three for 68 in 20.3 overs.

But with Australia resting their frontline fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, as well as off-spinner Nathan Lyon, Marsh was the only member of the attack on Saturday set to play at Edgbaston.

Australia hold the Ashes after whitewashing England 5-0 on home soil in 2013/14.

The ongoing five-match series is all square at 1-1, with Australia looking to win their first Ashes campaign in Britain for 14 years.