Nathan McSweeney failed to capitalise on the strong start he’d made in the Australia A match amid a disappointing four-way bat-off ahead of the five-Test series against India.
A day after the failures of Test contenders Sam Konstas (0), Cameron Bancroft (0) and Marcus Harris (17) in the match against India A in Mackay, McSweeney lost his wicket for 39 when he edged a Nitish Kumar Reddy delivery to gully on Thursday.
But the uncapped Test hopeful looked far more comfortable in Australia A’s first dig than the three others pushing to join Usman Khawaja at the top of Australia’s Test order, facing 131 balls and playing some elegant strokes.
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South Australia’s captain, who could open or bat at first drop in the Test series, had reached stumps on day one on 29.
Harris had a wretched time at the crease in his push to regain selection in the Test side, surviving on 8 when he was dropped at third slip then losing his wicket for 17 when he edged a Prasidh Krishna ball to second slip.
After India A was rolled for 107 on Thursday, Konstas and Harris opened the batting for Australia A.
Konstas was dismissed for a three-ball duck when he prodded at a Mukesh Kumar ball on the front foot, before Bancroft made a 14-ball duck when he tickled a Krishna delivery down the leg side.
Bancroft has registered scores of 0, 0, 8, 2 and 0 from his past five first-class innings, casting doubt over whether he’s worthy of selection for a Test comeback.
Australia A resumed on day two on 4-99, before being bowled out for 195.
All-rounders Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly made 33 and 37 respectively, while off-spinner Todd Murphy whacked 33 late in the innings.
Fast bowler Brendan Doggett was brilliant for Australia A on day one, snaring 6-15 as India A folded for 107 in 47.4 overs.
Australia’s five-Test series against India will begin in Perth on November 22.
Nathan McSweeney plays a leg-side shot against India A. Getty
