Nathan McSweeney sets Australia on course

Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney turned the game against India A during the decisive third day of play at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. India A started at 208/2 but could only add 104 runs before being bowled out. Chasing 225, Australia A ended the day on 139/3.

Sai Sudharsan’s stock continued to rise as he followed up his previous evening’s efforts to score a magnificent century in the morning session. But he and Devdutt Padikkal (88) – the other overnighter – fell early in the space of two overs to pave the way for Australia A to make the runs. Ishan Kishan fought back briefly but had no company at the other end to push back 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 Todd Murphy (3/77) took seven wickets.

Australia’s top three bowled to deceive again as Mukesh Kumar, Prasid Krishna and Manav Suthar picked a wicket each. But captain McSweeney, who won Ricky Ponting’s nod to open the senior side with Usman Khawaja at the start of the Australian summer, led his side in the chase with an unbeaten 47.

The top three of Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft, who are also in the running for the spot vacated by David Warner, each got starts, but only McSweeney was able to keep going and finish unbeaten on 47 at stumps. He and Beau Webster took the side within 86 runs of the target.

Short 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; Prasid Krishna 1 – 17) for 85 runs