McSweeney 123, Beardman four-for down India A

Nathan McSweeney delivered a masterclass under pressure with a career-best century, while 21-year-old speedster Mahli Beardman wreaked havoc with a devastating opening spell. Together, they paved the way for Australia A to secure a comprehensive 125-run victory over India A in the first unofficial ODI in Puducherry, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. A Dramatic Early Collapse and RecoveryPut in to bat on a slow surface, Australia A stumbled out of the gate, slumping to 30 for 3 as India A fast bowler Yash Thakur extracted sharp pace and bounce to remove both openers with short balls. Things went from bad to worse when they slid further to 87 for 5. Enter Nathan McSweeney. Anchoring the innings from number four, McSweeney put on a batting clinic, crafting a magnificent, composed 123 off 135 balls—his second List A century. He found an ideal, highly aggressive partner in captain Will Sutherland, who contributed a quickfire 77 off 68 balls. The pair rescued the innings with a brilliant 141-run sixth-wicket partnership. Sutherland turned the momentum decisively in Australia's favor by launching four sixes off Anukul Roy—including three consecutive maximums in the 39th over—propelling the visitors to a competitive total of 274. Suryansh Shedge was the standout bowler for the hosts, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 40, but the damage of the lower-order counterattack had already been done. Beardman's Raging Spell Destroys India A's ChaseDefending 274, Australia A required an energetic start, and 21-year-old Western Australian quick Mahli Beardman delivered beyond expectations. Consistently clocking over 140 kph, Beardman utilized sharp bounce to dismantle the Indian top order during a lethal powerplay burst. Within his first eleven balls, Beardman had already removed B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Prabhsimran Singh, leaving India A reeling at 24 for 3. His opening two-over spell yielded a stunning 3 for 2. Patidar's Resistance Falls ShortRajat Patidar tried to resurrect the innings, anchoring a brief fightback with a valiant 53 off 32 overs. A 34-run stand with Ruturaj Gaikwad and a counterattacking 31 from Nishant Sindhu offered glimmers of hope. However, disciplined bowling led by Spencer Johnson (2 for 36) and Beardman kept the pressure tight. Once Sindhu fell to a brilliant diving catch by Sam Konstas and Patidar chopped on following a short delivery, India A's resistance folded completely. They lost their final four wickets for just 11 runs to be bundled out for 149 in 31.4 overs. Beardman wrapped up a stellar performance with 4 for 23, sealing a dominant opening win for Australia A. The second unofficial ODI of the series will take place on October 9 in Puducherry.