Northants signing McSweeney leads South Australia to back-to-back Sheffield Shield titles
Overseas signing Nathan McSweeney will arrive in Northampton on a huge high after skippering South Australia to back-to-back Sheffield Shield titles for the first time.
The 27-year-old led his SA team to a 56-run Shield final win over Victoria in Melbourne on Monday, following up the state’s title success last season.
McSweeney scored a half-cenutry in the first innings as SA posted 198 all out in their first innings.
Victoria looked to be in control as they replied with 268 to take a 70-run lead, and then reducing SA to 79 for five in their second innings, with McSweeney dismissed for 20.
But a superb 103 from Australia Test star Alex Carey and 60 from Nathan McAndrew saw SA recover to 258 all out, setting Victoria 196 to win.
But the home side wilted under the pressure and were dismissed for just 139, to leave McSweeney and his team-mates celebrating.
“I was very nervous (at 79-5) and thought the game might have slipped through our hands, but to get 195 ahead gave us so much momentum and something to bowl at,” said McSweeney.
“Our quicks have been great all year, and to give them the ball and for them go to work was fantastic to see.
“The wicket was great and the new ball was tough work, but for Alex Carey to push through that and make a 100 was the turning point in the game.
“The ability for us to stay in the game was incredible, and to win two titles in a row with this group is super special, and it makes it even better when we’re all such good mates off the field.”
McSweeney will not be able to enjoy the SA title party too much, as he is due to fly to the UK on Tuesday, and is scheduled to clock in at the County Ground on Wednesday, with head coach Darren Lehmann still hopeful he will feature in Friday’s Rothesay County Championship opener against Lancashire.
Meanwhile, there were just two hours of play possible on day two of Northants’ pre-season friendly with Cardoff UCCE at Wantage Road on Sunday.
The rain arrived at lunch, with Cardiff, in reply to Northants’ 282 for eight declared, having reached 186 for four in just 35 overs.
Aside from left-armer Liam Guthrie (0-26 from nine overs), most of the Northants bowlers struggled with their economy on a cold day at the County Ground, but there were two wickets apiece for Dom Leech (2-31 from seven overs) and Gus Miller (2-31 from five).
Top scorer for Cardiff was Glamorgan batter Henry Hurle (55no), with Reeve Evitts making 50 and Joe Willis 41 not out.