Rookie bowler Tom Moore emerged as one of Essex’s bright spots as Australia dominated the first day of the four-day tour match at Chelmsford yesterday.

The tourists head into this morning’s second day after posting an impressive 440 for six on a sweltering day at Chelmsford.

Mitchell Marsh returns to the crease unbeaten on 136 after a swashbuckling knock, while David Warner, Peter Nevill and Shane Watson also passed 50 – ominous form with the first Ashes Test due to start in Cardiff next Wednesday.

While Darren Lehmann’s side were in the ascendancy for the most part, Essex did make one or two breakthroughs, most notably when Moore took two wickets in two balls, taking the scalps of opener Chris Rogers, and captain Michael Clarke for a first ball duck.

After close of play, the former Brentwood Cricket Club man, who has played just five games for his county in all forms, reflected on a memorable day.

“I think if you’d have put me in this position at the start of the day I would have bitten your hand off,” he said.

“I am very happy and taking two wickets in two balls is only something I have done once or twice before.

“I am as shocked as everyone else really but I just worked hard on putting the ball in roughly the same spot and that is what happened.

“I didn’t really think too much about it, playing against one of the world’s best batsmen (Clarke), it can get on top of you a bit, and I just cracked on with it. It is an amazing experience.”

Jesse Ryder took the wicket of Nevill in the last over of the day but Australia remain in a commanding position thanks to Marsh, who is being touted by many as a starter for next week’s First Test, possibly at the expense of fellow all-rounder Watson.

Marsh, the son of former Australia international Geoff, said: “I am certainly not putting any pressure on myself, at the end of the day it does not matter where you bat or where you bowl, if you take enough wickets and make enough runs, the selectors are going to pick you at some stage.

“I am just enjoying it. It is a privilege to be on this tour.

“I feel like I am improving with my bowling, and hopefully I am getting up there, so I just have to keep working hard.”

He added: “To follow in dad’s footsteps, hopefully I get the chance to play in an Ashes Test, it is what every kid in Australia dreams about, but we will see.”

First day action and report in today’s EADT.