Australia A 253 (Hardie 115, Jewel 66, van Beek 4-72) and 336 for 8 decl (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)
The Queensland legspinner took 3 for 85 in 18 overs with the hosts 174 for 3 after 42 overs when New Zealand A abandoned pursuit of the 374 needed for an unlikely win on Tuesday’s final day.
Australia A had earlier declared on 366 for 8, an innings powered by Renshaw’s second century of the two-match tour designed to replicate conditions in the Ashes series later this year.
Swepson, unused during Australia’s recent tour of India, took wickets in all four innings of the series despite a lack of side-spin on offer.
“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 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.”
Left-hander Renshaw failed in the middle order in all three innings of the tour of India. But he did all he could to show he was Test-ready if a spot became available in England, with opener David Warner’s future clouded. He made 140 on Monday and paired 112 and 78 in the first 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.”
West Australian allrounder Aaron Hardie also scored a first-innings century in the drawn match, while Tim Ward made three half-centuries during the tour and a host of Australia A quicks enjoyed the friendly conditions.