Leg Spinner stars with three wickets; also heaps praise on centurion Renshaw who “almost looked on another level”

Prior to encouraging Queensland teammate Matthew Renshaw after the draw in Australia A’s final tour game in New Zealand, Mitchell Swepson made the most of some enjoyable Dukes ball overs.

The hosts were 174 for 3 after 42 overs when New Zealand A gave up trying to chase down the 374 needed for an improbable victory on Tuesday’s last day, and the Queensland leg spinner took 3 for 85 in 18 overs.

In an earlier declaration, Australia A had reached 366 for 8, a total fueled by Renshaw’s second century of the two-match tour meant to simulate the Ashes series later in the year.

Despite the absence of a side-spin available, Swepson, who did not play during Australia’s last tour of India, grabbed wickets in each of the series’ four innings.

“Tough conditions…but I enjoy bowling with the Dukes ball, it’s a nice change and doing different things in the air to the Kookaburra ball used in Sheffield Shield, so I was finding ways to use that,” he said.

“Both games have been quite tough to bowl spin on, I’ve just had to find ways to stay effective. It’s just hard to get the ball in the hand when they [Dukes] swing so much for the quicks, but I thoroughly enjoy it.”

In each of the three innings of the India tour, left-hander Renshaw was unsuccessful in the middle order. In spite of opener David Warner‘s uncertain future, he made every effort to demonstrate that he was Test-ready in case a slot opened up in England. On Monday, he made 140 and combined 112 and 78 for his debut game.

“He just killed it, didn’t he,” Swepson said. “Almost looked on another level in both games. He’s just at the top of his game. He looks relaxed, knows what he does and has a plan, especially at the top of the order.”

In the drawn match, West Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie also reached the century score in the first innings. Tim Ward also made three half-centuries during the tour, while a number of Australia A quicks benefited from the pleasant conditions.
Match Report:  Australia A 253 (Hardie 115, Jewel 66, van Beek 4-72) and 336 for 8 dec (Renshaw 140, Ward 63, van Beek 3-61) drew with New Zealand A 246 (Solia 60, Bruce 44, Hay 43, Buckingham 6-58) and 174 for 3 (Cooper 61, O’ Donnell 44*, Swepson 3-85)