Nathan McSweeney delivered a masterful performance, scoring 123 to anchor Australia A to a commanding 125-run victory against India A during the first unofficial ODI in Puducherry on Tuesday, October 6. The visitors posted a total of 274 in 48.2 overs, a target that proved too steep for the hosts, who were bundled out for 149 in just 31.4 overs. To go down by 125 runs, india A were never in the hunt during the chase and crumbled for just 149.
Australia A’s start was shaky after they were sent in to bat. Despite Mitchell Owen and Sam Konstas finding early boundaries, the top order collapsed under pressure. Yash Thakur claimed the wickets of both Owen and Konstas, while Arshad Khan dismissed Josh Philippe to leave the tourists reeling at 30/3 by the fifth over. Following the loss of Liam Scott and Nikhil Chaudhary, the team found themselves in a precarious position with half the side removed. Owen top-edged a pull to depart for just 10 and Konstas also mistimed a short-pitched delivery to give Yash Thakur his second wicket. Arshad Khan then put India A completely on top as he struck just three balls later to get rid of Josh Philippe as Australia A were reduced to 30/3 in just the fifth over. Chasing 275, India A lost their top three very early.
A critical recovery mission followed as captain Will Sutherland joined McSweeney at the crease. The pair steadied the innings before accelerating. Sutherland was particularly aggressive against Anukul Roy, hitting four sixes in total to reach his half-century and build pressure on the Indian bowlers. While Suryansh Shedge eventually stifled the momentum with a four-wicket haul, McSweeney’s century ensured the tourists set a competitive total. McSweeney rescued Australia at a critical stage alongside Will Sutherland to help them post 274 before the bowlers defended the total with ease. Both batters were content on batting deep into the innings, with time not a factor.
India A’s chase faltered almost immediately. Mahli Beardman was the architect of the collapse, dismissing Sai Sudharsan for 1, followed by the wickets of Devdutt Padikkal and Prabhsimran Singh in the same over. Reduced to 24/3, the home side required a substantial partnership to stay in contention. Although Ruturaj Gaikwad attempted to hold the innings together and Rajat Patidar contributed a resilient 53, the pressure proved relentless.
Spencer Johnson broke the deadlock by removing Gaikwad, and Nishant Sindhu soon followed. Beardman returned to finish his spell with 4/23, eventually claiming the wicket of Shedge. When Patidar fell after crossing his fifty, the remaining Indian tail offered little resistance. Australia A wrapped up the game convincingly, leaving the hosts folded well inside the 32nd over.
