India A vs Australia A Highlights, Day 4 of 1st Unofficial Test: The first unofficial Test between India A and Australia A heads into an exciting final day in Mackay, with Australia A needing just 86 runs to clinch victory at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Queensland on November 3, 2024.
- Batting: Nathan McSweeney 60* Beau Webster 33*
- 2nd innings: India A 312/10 (Sai Sudharsan 103, Fergus O’Neill 4/55)
- 1st innings: Australia A 195 All Out in 62.4 overs (Nathan McSweeney 37, Mukesh Kumar 6/46)
- 1st innings: India A 107 All Out in 47.4 overs (Devdutt Paddikal 36, Brendan Doggett 6/15)
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After play was halted due to bad light on Day 3, the visitors reached 139/3 in their chase of 225, with skipper Nathan McSweeney anchoring the innings on 47* alongside Beau Webster on 19*.
India A’s bowlers made steady inroads as Mukesh Kumar and Manav Suthar picked up key wickets to keep the chase in check. Mukesh, who bowled with intensity and swing, was rewarded when he bowled Sam Konstas with a peach early in the innings. Later, Suthar struck to dismiss a well-set Marcus Harris, who looked poised on 36 before a faint edge saw him caught behind by Ishan Kishan.
Australia A’s McSweeney and Webster have since settled in, patiently building a 50-run stand for the fourth wicket to bring their side closer to the target. McSweeney, in particular, has shown excellent composure, approaching his half-century with controlled aggression, while Webster has been content to play a supporting role, seeing out the remainder of Day 3 safely.
For India A, the key to keeping hopes alive on Day 4 will be early breakthroughs, particularly by their seamers Mukesh Kumar and Prasidh Krishna. Spin might also come into play as the wicket shows signs of wear, and left-arm spinner Suthar could pose a challenge if he can find some purchase.
With just 86 runs required and seven wickets in hand, Australia A has a strong chance to wrap up the game, but a couple of early wickets could swing the momentum back to India A, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.