Sheffield Shield: Nathan McSweeney steers South Australia to draw

South Australia’s new captain played a stirring innings to save his side as Test stars flexed their muscles on the final day of Shield action.

Australia’s Test stars flexed their muscles on the final day of the opening Sheffield Shield matches, with Alex Carey trumping Nathan Lyon to bring up an impressive century.

Carey and new South Australian captain Nathan McSweeney posted hundreds to save the Redbacks from defeat against New South Wales after a Lyon masterclass reduced them to 4-23 early on Friday at Cricket Central.

The Australian wicketkeeper notched his seventh first-class century as Mitch Marsh fell just short of a ton for Western Australia against Queensland at the WACA.

Marsh, who did not bowl during the match, bludgeoned 14 fours and a six in his 94 after putting on a crucial 121-run partnership with Hilton Cartwright to keep the Bulls at bay.

Mitch Marsh drives a ball past Queensland captain Marnus Labuschagne at cover on his way to 94 for Western Australia at the WACA. Picture: Paul Kane / Getty Images

The powerful all-rounder attempted an aggressive pull shot to bring up his century, but skied it for keeper Jimmy Peirson to take a simple catch and hand Jack Wildermuth his third wicket.

The Warriors declared at 6-263 following a quickfire 48 from Josh Inglis and set Queensland an ambitious 362 to win in just over half a day’s play.

Test opening hopeful Matt Renshaw was caught behind the wicket early for a second successive innings, returning scores of only six and 15.

While 19-year-old twin centurion Sam Konstas stole the show in the Blues-Redbacks clash, McSweeney stamped himself as next in line for a Test middle order spot after his marathon 127 off 283 balls steered his team to a draw.

Alex Carey pumps his fist after bringing up his seventh first-class hundred for South Australia against NSW. Picture: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

When Lyon forced Travis Head back into his crease and beat him past the outside edge to leave the Redbacks 4-23, McSweeney anchored the innings as Carey played more aggressively at the other end.

The 25-year-old faced a mammoth 447 deliveries for the match as he and Daniel Drew (46 off 141) were forced by NSW captain Moises Henriques to keep batting until only six minutes of play remained.

After he was emphatic he would bowl with no restrictions following stumps on the first day, Lyon bowled 39 overs in the second innings to finish with 3-94 and match figures of 8-141.

Victoria and Tasmania shook hands for a draw before 3pm after crawling to a draw on a lifeless Junction Oval wicket which yielded only 20 wickets over the four days.

Marcus Harris was named man of the match after scores of 143 and 52.

Originally published as Sheffield Shield: Nathan McSweeney steers South Australia to draw