Phil Hughes, Ed Cowan and Steve Smith all make runs as Australia reach 5/354 in tour match AUSTRALIA was in a dominant position, at 5/354, after the first day of the three-day tour match against Sussex. Steve Smith made a strong claim to retain his place in the team for the third Test Old Trafford with a breezy unbeaten 98, which included some sweet shots late in the day against the second new ball. But the continued failure of other top order batsmen to capitalise on good starts remained a concern for the embattled Australians ahead of the must-win Test in Manchester. Ed Cowan (66), Phil Hughes (84) and Usman Khawaja (40), all laid the platform for big scores, before succumbing to the Sussex bowlers on a ground where a hard, sunburnt outfield richly rewarded positive strokeplay. Smith made the most of a tiring Sussex attack, combining with James Faulkner (48) in the final session partnership of 131. It was a timely innings for Smith who, with Hughes, was considered a vulnerable member of a team that has failed to make competitive totals in the first two Tests. Cowan and Hughes had given the Australia a good start with a 150-run opening partnership on a greenish pitch, which gave the opening bowlers some assistance. But, continuing the trend of the tour, too few of the Australian batsmen could persevere. Hughes's encouraging 81 not out in a record 163 last wicket stand of 163 with Ashton Agar at Trent Bridge has been followed by scores of 0, 1, and 1. So he was in need of a convincing innings - particularly with David Warner returning to the squad after scoring 193 against South Africa A. Picture: Mike Hewitt But, in the early stages of particularly, Hughes looked vulnerable. He was dropped at second slip on 22 in the same over he had edged another ball just wide of the cordon. Hughes made the most of his luck, slashing some typically vicious cut shots. But it remains to be seen whether those boundaries, or the several less convincing strokes that preceded them, will occupy the selectors" minds. Cowan, who also needed a big score if he was to have any chance of a Test recall, made a solid start. He was understandably disappointed to be the first man out when he scooped a catch to mid-wicket. Occasional England spinner Monty Panesar (3/65) troubled the Australian batsmen who are already reeling after Graeme Swann's performance at Lord's. Panesar had Khawaja caught at first slip, Matthew Wade - another who had been hopeful of a Test recall - caught cutting at point for a duck, and bowled Faulkner who went for an extravagant swipe. Although eight members of the team badly beaten at Lord's have been rested or are injured, including captain Michael Clarke and struggling opener Shane Watson, this game has taken on added significance with the Australians likely to make several changes at Old Trafford. When Sussex bats, Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird and perhaps all-rounder James Faulkner will be vying to replace injured fast-bowler James Pattinson, while spinner Nathan Lyon is hoping for a good performance to ensure he gets his chance on the unusually dry pitches prepared for the Ashes. Under a special arrangement, players can participate in a tour game for a rival country if they are under consideration for Test selection. Australia team playing Sussex: Cowan (c) Hughes, Khawaja, Smith, Wade, Faulkner, Agar, Turner, Starc, Lyon, Bird.