Mitchell Johnson's Ashes campaign continues to unravel while Stuart Clark strengthened his claim for a Test recall as Australia defeated Northamptonshire by 135 runs on Sunday night.
Johnson's only wicket sealed Australia's first victory of the tour but failed to alleviate the concerns of Ricky Ponting, who watched the game from the dressing room.
Forgotten all-rounder Andrew McDonald, who earlier made 75, was the unlikely match-winner for Australia, claiming 4-15 from 11 overs and completing a run out off his own bowling.
His heroics saw the home side collapse in the final session to be dismissed for 217, well short of the victory target of 353, with 47 balls left in the match.
The Victorian is at long odds to overtake Clark in the pecking order but his Test stocks will soar if selectors opt for four seamers at Edgbaston.
Johnson, in his final chance to impress selectors ahead of the third Test starting on Thursday, returned the figures of 1-65 from 11.1 overs for a match return of 1-107.
Stripped of new-ball duties in this game, Johnson's most onerous task later this week could be running the drinks.
Plundered for 45 runs from his first seven overs, Johnson completed an unwanted century when reintroduced in an attempt to skittle the home side's tailenders.
He did, however, claim a consolation wicket in the form of No.9 David Lucas, who is yet to make a half-century from 56 first-class matches.
Johnson was shown disdain by the county's left-handed opening pair of Niall O'Brien and Ben Howgego.
When Johnson did not stray onto their pads, he bowled far too wide of off stump, only rarely producing a delivery which demanded caution.
He came close to removing O'Brien, Ireland's wicketkeeper-batsman, with a leg-stump half volley but the ball fell inches short of Simon Katich at square leg.
Nor was he able to prise the wicket of Howgego, a 21-year-old making only his sixth first-class appearance who, prior to this game, boasted a highest score of 36.
A dropped chance off the bowling of Clark would also have done nothing to lift his confidence, which if not at rock bottom must be mighty close to it
He could soon be put out of his misery by selectors, who watched another strong audition from Clark.
The veteran, Australia's leading wicket-taker from the 2006-07 whitewash but hitherto unseen in this series, grabbed 2-29 from nine overs and twice had Howgego put down.
In another sign he was nearing his top, Clark - Australia's best bowler in this match despite McDonald's late burst - hurried the batsmen with his sharp bounce.
While Johnson was offering the Northants openers room to open their shoulders, Clark honed in just outside off stump, they greyest of areas for any batsman.
Wicketless with the new ball, Clark made his first breakthrough in the 24th over of the innings, finding the edge of Northamptonshire captain Rob White's bat after enticing the batsman to drive.
His extra bounce resulted in the demise of Alex Wakely, who glanced a ball which rose sharply on him down the leg-side to wicketkeeper Graham Manou.
Australia 1st innings 8d-308
Northamptonshire 1st innings 7d-226
Australia 2nd innings
Hughes b Wigley 68
McDonald c Nelson b Willey 75
Watson c Wessels b White 50
Manou not out 59
Hussey not out 9
Extras: 7 (7lb)
Total: 270 (3 wickets, 53 overs)
FOW: 1-146, 2-150, 3-224
Bowling
Wigley 14 - 3 - 77 - 1
Lucas 6 - 0 - 31 - 0
Brooks 11 - 1 - 52 - 0
White 11 - 1 - 49 - 1
Willey 11 - 0 - 52 - 1
Northamptonshire 2nd innings
Howgego c Hauritz b McDonald 46
O'Brien c Siddle b Watson 58
White c Manou b Clark 1
Wakely c Manou b Clark 1
Wessels c Manou b McDonald 33
Nelson run out (McDonald) 9
Willey c North b McDonald 2
White b McDonald 0
Lucas c Manou b Hauritz 22
Wigley c Siddle b Johnson 16
Brooks not out 10
Extras: 19 (12b, 3lb, 1w, 3nb)
Total: 217 (all out, 64.1 overs)
FOW: 1-99, 2-104, 3-118, 4-140, 5-153, 6-162, 7-164, 8-165, 9-203, 10-217
Bowling
Siddle 4 - 1 - 11 - 0
Clark 9 - 1 - 29 - 2
Johnson 11.1 - 1 - 65 - 1 (2nb, 1w)
Watson 10 - 3 - 34 - 1
Hauritz 12 - 2 - 36 - 1
McDonald 11 - 5 - 15 - 4 (1nb)
North 7 - 1 - 12 - 0