Australia A crush India A by 125 runs in first unofficial ODI

Puducherry: Nathan McSweeney and Mahli Beardman emerged as the architects of Australia A’s commanding 125-run victory over India A in the first unofficial ODI here on Tuesday, with the visitors exploiting a two-paced surface to leave the hosts bruised by the short ball.

After Australia A were reduced to 87-5, McSweeney stood tall, crafting a composed 123 off 135 balls to take the visitors to 274. Will Sutherland (77) provided the perfect foil, with the pair stitching a vital 141-run sixth-wicket partnership.

Suryansh Shedge was the standout bowler for the hosts, finishing with 4-40.

Beardman (4-23), consistently touching 140kmph and above, took over from there, dismissing Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. Beardman struck again soon to remove Prabhsimran Singh for 17.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s dismissal for 15 left India A struggling at 58-4. Rajat Patidar offered some resistance, but the wickets kept tumbling.

SCORES: Australia A 274 in 48.2 overs (N McSweeney 123, W Sutherland 77; S Shedge 4-40, Y Thakur 3-47) beat India A 149 in 31.4 overs (R Patidar 53, N Sindhu 31; M Beardman 4-23, S Johnson 2-36) by 125 runs.

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