AN OUTSTANDING individual performance from promising young gun Nathan McSweeney helped the South Australia Redbacks to an eight-run victory over the New South Wales Blues in the Marsh One Day Cup. The 23-year-old showed plenty of potential, impacting the contest with both bat and ball.

The Redbacks set an impressive total in the first innings, but the Blues gave them an almighty scare as Daniel Hughes compiled a massive ton to edge his side within striking distance in the final few overs. However, three quick wickets sealed the result for South Australia, and McSweeney was named Player of the Match.

NSW Blues (10/322) def. by S.A. Redbacks (5-330)

Nathan McSweeney – 94 runs (113) & 2/51 (9 overs)

The Blues won the toss and sent South Australia out to bat first, favouring their chances on an unpredictable pitch. McSweeney came in at three during the first over, after Jake Weatherald was dismissed for a second-ball duck.

After not registering a run in his first nine balls, McSweeney looked to take on the NSW bowlers, particularly Nathan Lyon, showing the veteran no signs of intimidation as he pulled out a plethora of shots.

Whether it was a sweep down leg side or a straight drive down the ground after dancing the shorter delivery, McSweeney showed the class of a veteran batsman combined with the aggressive shot selection of the younger generation.

He cruised his way to a half century, bringing up his 50 with a hook shot down off the back foot that raced away for four. McSweeney formed a strong partnership with Travis Head, before the latter failed at lofting one of his shots and edged the ball to the keeper. The youngster’s hot form continued, implementing some strong pull shots into his game as the boundaries still flowed with ease.

He was racing towards his first century at the level, but a poor poke saw the ball edged through to the keeper, ending an impressive knock, as the Redbacks set the total at 330.

The Blues were in some serious form to start their innings, finding themselves at 1-157 thanks to Hughes’ excellent knock, before the breakthrough wickets finally came. McSweeney’s first few overs with ball in hand were quite expensive, with the timing and shot selection from NSW proving too good.

He claimed his first wicket when Jason Sangha swept the ball in the air, directly to the fielder at deep square leg. It was a crucial scalp as his Sangha’s partnership with Hughes was firing in a big way.

Heading towards a tight finish, McSweeney claimed his second wicket when Sean Abbott lofted a shot that was taken by Ben Manenti at mid-wicket. However, an even more contribution came shortly after, albeit not intentionally. When Hughes tried to take a risky run, the ball was thrown in towards the stumps and ricocheted off McSweeney into the bails, sending NSW’s best performer packing, and essentially sealing the result.

It was an outstanding performance from one of the brighter prospects in domestic cricket, with McSweeney putting his name forward as one to watch in the coming months.