Unofficial Test: Australia A Cap Nathan McSweeney flipped the match against India A
Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney flipped the game against India A around on its head on a decisive third day’s play at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. India A began on 208/2, but could add only 104 more runs before being bundled out. In chase of 225, Australia A finished the day at 139/3.
Sai Sudharsan’s red-ball stocks continued to rise as he carried forward his previous evening’s efforts to compile a fine century in the morning session. But he and Devdutt Padikkal (88) – the other overnight batter – fell early in the space of two overs to pave the way for Australia A to run through. Ishan Kishan fought back briefly but didn’t have company at the other end to push India A’s lead. The visitors went from 229/4 at Padikkal’s exit to 297/9 as the lower-order crumbled. Medium-pacer Fergus O’Neill (4/55) and off-spinner Todd Murphy (3/77) accounted for seven wickets.
Australia A’s top-three flattered to deceive again as Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar picked a wicket each. But captain McSweeney, who has received Ricky Ponting’s endorsement to open for the senior side with Usman Khawaja at the start of the Australian summer, led his team’s chase with an unbeaten 47.
Brief Scores: India A 107 & 312 (Sai Sudharsan 103, Devdutt Padikkal 88; Fergus O’Neill 4-55, Todd Murphy 3-77) lead Australia A 195 & 139/3 (Nathan McSweeney 47*, Marcus Harris 36; Prasidh Krishna 1-17) by 85 runs
