McSweeney's 123 and Beardman's four-for fire Australia A to 125-run win over India A in first unofficial ODI

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

McSweeney and Sutherland repair the innings

After Australia A were reduced to a precarious 87 for 5, McSweeney stood tall, crafting a composed 123 off 135 balls to take the visitors to 274 all out in 48.2 overs. Will Sutherland provided the perfect foil with 77, the pair stitching a vital 141-run sixth-wicket partnership that wrested the momentum away from India A.

Suryansh Shedge was the standout bowler for the hosts, finishing with 4 for 40, while Yash Thakur lent able support with 3 for 47, but the rebuilding stand meant Australia A still posted a formidable total on a pitch that offered plenty to the bowlers.

Beardman's express pace breaks the chase

Any hopes India A harboured of a successful chase were extinguished almost immediately. Beardman, consistently touching 140kmph and above, took over from there, dismissing Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal before striking again soon after to remove Prabhsimran Singh for 17.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's dismissal for 15 left India A struggling at 58 for 4. Rajat Patidar offered some resistance with 53 and Nishant Sindhu chipped in with 31, but the wickets kept tumbling around them. Spencer Johnson weighed in with 2 for 36 as India A folded for 149 in 31.4 overs, sealing a comprehensive 125-run defeat in front of their home crowd.

The scorecard

Australia A 274 in 48.2 overs (Nathan McSweeney 123, Will Sutherland 77; Suryansh Shedge 4-40, Yash Thakur 3-47)
India A 149 in 31.4 overs (Rajat Patidar 53, Nishant Sindhu 31; Mahli Beardman 4-23, Spencer Johnson 2-36)
Result: Australia A won by 125 runs

Quick turnaround after the Test series

The one-day leg began just days after the two sides' unofficial Test campaign in Puducherry concluded. India A had claimed the two-match Test series 1-0, winning the first Test by 162 runs before surviving a late collapse to hold Australia A to a thrilling draw in the second, according to reports published on October 2. In that second Test, Australia A declared their second innings at 173 for 4 to set India A a daunting 365-run target, and spinner Todd Murphy once again removed Sai Sudharsan before stumps on day three. Chasing 365 on the final day, India A slumped to 199 for 7 before Yash Rathod's unbeaten 80 and Shams Mulani's dogged 31 off 131 balls, along with lower-order resistance, helped them bat out the day and salvage a draw.

On this evidence, though, it is Australia A who carry the momentum into the one-day leg. India A will need to regroup quickly if they are to hit back in the second unofficial ODI.