ADELAIDE (Australia), Nov 18: Test paceman Jason Gillespie made an encouraging comeback after injury here Tuesday, capturing two wickets as a strong New South Wales side collapsed for 267 in a Sheffield Shield game.

South Australia replied with 26 without loss by stumps on the opening day of the four-day match at Adelaide Oval.

Gillespie, who had been out of action with a side strain for five weeks, snapped up 2-46 from 19 overs in four spells with his first nine overs yielding only 10 runs.

He worked up to full pace in a performance suggesting he could be at his menacing best for the first Test against India in Brisbane from Dec 4-8.

With paceman Paul Rofe (4-62) in outstanding form, New South Wales were always on the back foot after captain Steve Waugh won the toss and batted.

Only a steady innings of 94 in almost five hours by opener Greg Mail enabled New South Wales to build any sort of total.

Rofe dismissed former Test opener Michael Slater (10), in-form Test left-hander Simon Katich (five) and Steve Waugh (nought) in the first eight overs of the match to have the visitors reeling.

Waugh was out for a golden duck, clipping the first ball he faced off his pads to Mark Cosgrove, who took a sharp low catch at short backward square leg.

Mark Waugh and Brad Haddin each hit 34 with aggressive knocks, but the only major resistance was offered by Mail and tailender Don Nash, who made 46, as the pair shared an 84-run seventh-wicket partnership.

Summarized scores:

New South Wales 267 (G. Mail 94, D. Nash 46, M. Waugh 34, B. Haddin 34; P. Rofe 4-62, J. Gillespie 2-46, M. Cleary 2-72) v South Australia 26 for no wicket.—Reuters