Sri Lanka A off to hot start despite unusual wicket

Sri Lanka A stands at 4-263 after being sent in to bat on day one at Marrara.

After an unbeaten 104 in the first four-day 'A' series game earlier in the week, Nuwanidu Fernando backed it up with another ton.

He brought up the milestone in fine style, smashing a six to get there. 

Fernando looked in fantastic touch until Mitch Perry drew his edge, with a feathered ball heading to Jason Sangha at second slip.

Liam Scott shone for Australia A early in the day to dismiss Lahiru Udara for just 10, but the day became an uphill battle for the home side after that.

Kamil Mishara (81) looked to be cruising towards a century, but Henry Thornton was able to break through after a consistent dose of short bowling.

Mishara had dealt with the short ball fairly well through the early session, but he failed to move his bat in time as he ducked.

Thornton's ball found the edge as the ball spooned up towards Kurtis Patterson for an easy catch.

Australia A found wickets hard to come by, with Scott, Thornton, Perry and Zanden Jeh all taking one each.

There was a buzz early in the day when it was revealed Nathan McSweeney would open for the home side, after previously batting at three in the previous match.

It appears to be the first real look into the bat-off ahead of The Ashes, with Australian coach Andrew McDonald revealing the top order remains unsettled ahead of the summer. 

Australia A v Sri Lanka A series

July 4: First one-dayer, Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin

July 6: Second one-dayer, Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin

July 9: Third one-dayer, Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin

July13-16: First four-day match, Marrara Stadium, Darwin

July 20-23: Second four-day match, Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin

All matches live streamed on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app, and via Kayo Sports. All matches start 10:30am AEST.