Nathan McSweeney makes perfect Test audition as ball-tampering drama rocks Australia A game

India A have been accused of ball-tampering in explosive scenes during their clash with Australia A in Mackay. With Nathan McSweeney staking his case to be selected for the first Test of the summer, there were fiery scenes when the Indian team were told by umpire Shawn Craig that the ball had been changed as it had been tampered with.

Craig gathered the Indian players before the first ball of day four on Sunday and explained the situation. "When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let's play," Craig could be heard saying on the stump microphone.

India's wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan was then put on report by Craig for telling the umpire it was a "stupid decision". Craig replied: "You will be on report for dissent, that is very inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball."

The umpire didn't mention how he believed India had scratched the ball, and the tourists were not handed a five-run penalty despite the allegation. Kishan is not part of India's Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with a five-Test series starting in Perth on November 22.

Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, all-rounder Nitish Kumar and batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran are the only players in the India A side that form part of the tourists' Test squad. There is no indication at this stage of who the umpires believe was responsible for the alleged ball tampering.

Nathan McSweeney makes perfect case for Test selection

McSweeney (88 not out) and Beau Webster (61 not out) guided Australia A to a seven-wicket victory on Sunday to make their cases for Test selection. It's believed McSweeney is in a race with Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Sam Konstas to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja this summer, with Steve Smith moving back down the order to No.4 after Cameron Green was ruled out for the entire series. However Webster has also been touted as a potential Test player and the all-rounder would be a like-for-like replacement for Green.

Konstas, Harris and Bancroft were all out cheaply in both innings in Mackay, while McSweeney made a patient 39 off 131 balls in tricky conditions in the first dig. McSweeney has never opened in first-class cricket, but Australian selectors are said to be keen on his leadership qualities and attitude. And his unbeaten knock off 88 on Sunday will do him plenty of favours.

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One option would be to promote Marnus Labuschagne to opener if McSweeney came into the middle order for the Test team. Queensland captain Labuschagne got to see McSweeney close-up in the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup clashes against South Australia recently, and liked what he saw.

"Absolutely. He is a very good player, and not just his batting," Labuschagne said when asked if McSweeney is Test match material. "It's everything else he brings in the field, his bowling and his leadership style.

"This summer could be his opportunity. He has just got to keep going like he is now. If he keeps scoring runs he could put pressure on the selectors to pick him. He has certainly been very good so far this season and was very good last season as well."

Can Nathan McSweeney open the batting for Australia?

McSweeney has said he's prepared to open if it means playing Test cricket. "Batting at No.3, your preparation is similar," he said. "All my prep is with the new ball, and sometimes you are in on the second ball of the game.

"As a kid it was a dream to get a baggy green and I will bat wherever. I have been lucky enough to get picked for Australia A again, which is a great opportunity for me to test my game. I feel like my game keeps progressing, which is a pleasing thing and hopefully I can continue do that."

with AAP