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Australia A win thriller, book final spot

Patterson, Maddinson centuries set up hosts, who get home despite a wonderful Pandey hundred

Australia A have got home by a single run in a thrilling 50-over contest with India A in Mackay to book a spot in the Quad Series final.

Off the backs of centuries to Kurtis Patterson and Nic Maddinson, the home side posted 6-322, but India, who they bowled out for 55 at the start of this tournament, fought gamely in reply. 

India ODI rep Manish Pandey scored his second hundred of the tournament, but a dramatic finale went the Australians' way.

Pandey blasts 110 in Mackay

Faced with the mammoth task of chasing 323, skipper Pandey paired with Mandeep Singh (56) and Sanju Samson (87) to build the tourist’s total and until the final overs they looked on track for the win.

Pandey – who plundered 10 fours and three sixes in his knock of 110 off 91 – was calculated in his chase, working the quicks around and taking to anything short from Australia A’s spin bowlers.

But his wicket, caught by Sam Whiteman from the bowling of Dan Worrall in the 47th over, gave the Australians a sniff, and that was all they needed. 

Hardik Pandya was run-out for two just two balls later, and with nine required from the final over, Kane Richardson took the ball for the home side. 

India A scored six from the first four balls but Samson's attempted straight drive for six from the match's penultimate ball fell short of the rope and into the safe hands of Marcus Stoinis. 

The visitors scrambled a single from the final ball and pushed for a suicidal second to end the match seven wickets down and just one run short, meaning the two sides will now face off in a re-match in the final on Sunday at the same venue.  

Earlier, Kurtis Patterson (115) and Nic Maddinson (118) combined for a 229-run stand on the smaller Harrup Park ground.

WATCH: Kurtis carves out crucial century

Patterson – who compiled his first List A century – plundered 16 boundaries in his innings, after losing Marcus Stoinis (0) early in the innings.

Maddinson, who was a late call-up for Australia T20I reps Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell, also went over the fence four time on his return to Mackay, where he last scored 80 from just 72 balls in a Sheffield Shield match against Queensland.

WATCH: Maddinson blitz comes to Mackay

The two New South Wales batsmen combined for a 229-run second wicket stand after all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was removed without scoring.


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