Snubbed Test prospect’s statement Aus A ton as exciting young quick goes ballistic in fiery spell
Nathan McSweeney shrugged off the disappointment of missing out on a call-up to Australia’s Test squad by hitting a match-winning century for Australia A in the first one-day game against India A in Puducherry.
The three-Test batter failed to press his claims for a ticket to South Africa in the two four-day games with Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper, who scored a century in the second four-day game, instead being drafted in as reinforcements following injury concerns to Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw and Josh Inglis.
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Green has since been ruled out of Friday’s first Test in Durban, while Renshaw has been cleared to play.
McSweeney, on the other hand, will have to wait for the next opening in the Australian squad and his 123 off 135 deliveries to dig Australia A out of a hole served as a reminder of why the 27-year-old is regarded as one of the country’s best up-and-coming prospects.
Australia A were 3/30 after 4.2 overs with Mitch Owen (10), Sam Konstas (14) and Josh Philippe (2) all falling cheaply.
The visitors’ position was not a whole lot stronger at 5/87 with Liam Scott (15) and Nikil Chaudhary (6) unable to form a rebuild with No.4 McSweeney – who spent the Australian winter with Darren Lehmann-coached English county side Northamptonshire.
That was left up to Victorian skipper Will Sutherland.
The all-rounder smashed 77 off 68 balls, including four sixes, in a 141-run sixth wicket stand with his South Australian counterpart.
Once Sutherland departed, McSweeney powered on to his century, hitting 13 boundaries to lead Australia A to 274 all out.
“A little bit of trouble early but Will played really well and we ended up a good total on the board,” McSweeney said.
“We just needed to make sure we batted as close to 50 overs as possible. I think their spinners are world class in India, so that was a huge challenge. So I was going deep in the crease. Batting with Will – he is a lot taller – we complement each other and that worked really well.”
It would prove to be comfortably enough as India A were knocked over for just 149 after 21-year-old quick Mahli Beardman’s new-ball blitz.
The West Australian fast bowler took 4/23 from six overs, sharing the new ball with left-arm speedster Spencer Johnson (2/36).
In his first 11 balls, Beardman, who made his T2o international debut in Pakistan earlier this year, removed India A’s top three in a pacy spell, bouncing out Test-capped Sai Sudharsan (1) as well as having another India representative in Devdutt Padikkal (0) caught at mid off.
The hosts never recovered with only a half-century from three-Test batter Rajat Patidar offering some middle order resistance.
Todd Murphy (1/18), McSweeney (1/14) and Owen (1/13) all chipped in with a wicket each as India A were dismissed in just 31.4 overs.
“It was very good to bat with Nathan, it was a wonderful innings, and we were able to get a good total,” Sutherland said.
“We just had to bat a fair bit of time and keep the ball along the ground. Mahli set the tone beautifully and the other boys followed him.”
