Virat Kohli (AFP Photo)
Nathan McSweeney used YouTube videos of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to prepare for the challenge of batting against spin in India. His preparation proved effective as the Australia A batter topped the run charts in the one-day series against India A, helping his team secure a 2-1 win in Puducherry.McSweeney scored 194 runs in three innings at an average of 64.66 and a strike rate of 83.62. His consistent performances also earned him the Player of the Series award.
McSweeney reveals how he prepared for Indian conditions
McSweeney explained that studying how top batters handle spin was an important part of his preparation for the tour. He also relied on analysis and data shared by the team's support staff."I think obviously coming to India as, an Australian, it's a heavy spin focus and you try and work hard and watch the great Indian players on how they play spin," McSweeney told the host broadcaster after the white-ball series ended on Sunday."[Watching] Virat Kohli on YouTube trying to study how he goes about it, Steve Smith, other Australians that have come over and done really well. So, there's plenty of analysts and data that we are given as well. So, it's nice to action that out in the middle and execute it fairly well."The batter put his preparation to good use against India's spinners. He used his feet effectively, played sweeps and stepped out of his crease to disrupt the bowlers' plans.
His ability to play the ball softly into gaps also helped him score consistently on challenging surfaces.
Australia A win one-day series 2-1
Australia A started the series with a 125-run victory. After scoring 274, they bowled India A out for 149.The visitors then won the second match by 69 runs, scoring 275 before restricting India A to 206.India A prevented Australia A from completing a clean sweep by winning the third match by 49 runs. India A posted 275 and dismissed Australia A for 226.Australia A nevertheless took the series 2-1, with McSweeney's batting proving crucial to their success.Reflecting on the achievement, McSweeney said winning a series in India was a special result for the visiting side."I'm very pleased to come over here in good conditions and spend some time in the middle, which is always nice and a series win in India is no easy feat by any international team coming over," McSweeney said.
"It's a very tough place to come and play cricket against tough competition always. So, yeah, well done to our boys and it's nice to get a series win."
McSweeney wants to improve in long-format cricket
Before the one-day series, McSweeney had found it difficult to convert his starts into big scores in the unofficial Test series. Australia A lost that series 0-1, and the batter said he wanted to learn from those performances.
"I think I missed out in the first innings of a couple of those games," McSweeney said.
"We saw anyone that watched the four-day stuff, as the game went on it got really hard to bat. So, I think I got a couple of thirties in the second innings of both those games."But, I think where it counts, especially playing cricket in India, is in that first innings of long-form cricket if you can make a big score there. Not only is it probably easier for batting but also sets up your team to win the game. So, coming back here hopefully I get another opportunity. I'll be really trying to focus on that."