Australia seamer Mitchell Starc continued his Ashes build-up with career-best first-class figures of 8-73 for New South Wales against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
Starc, who will be Australia's spearhead against England, starred in the day-night round of domestic fixtures, including dismissing Ashes hopeful Travis Head for a golden duck during his 24.4 overs in the second innings.
The 27-year-old, playing his maiden first-class game since returning from a foot injury, bowled quickly and swung the pink ball prodigiously in Adelaide, a potentially ominous sign for England, who will play Australia in a day-night Test at the venue from December 2.
The series begins in Brisbane on November 23, with games at Adelaide, Perth (Dec 14), Melbourne (Dec 26) and Sydney (Jan 4) to follow as England attempt to retain the urn they won at home in 2015
"It's been a long time since I've played a four-day fixture so it was nice to get some overs under the belt and get ready for that first Test," said Starc.
"The ball swung and nipped a little bit and I managed to get it to move both ways and take a few wickets."
England flew out to Australia on Saturday, with Joe Root confirming in his leaving press conference at Lord's a day earlier that his team were preparing as if Ben Stokes will miss the entire series.
Stokes, named in England's initial Ashes squad, is not being considered for selection while police continue an investigation into his arrest on suspicion of actual bodily harm in Bristol in September.