In a thrilling finale, Will Sutherland made a triumphant return to the bowling crease after an extended absence, then turned the tide with a crucial batting contribution to propel Australia A to a series sweep against New Zealand A, clinching a 3-0 victory.

Sutherland, leading Australia A, showcased his bowling prowess, marking his comeback to competitive action with figures of 1 for 20 from six overs. This marked his first appearance since recovering from a stress fracture sustained during the Sheffield Shield final.

However, it was with the bat that Sutherland truly made his mark, orchestrating a pivotal seventh-wicket partnership of 52 runs with Ollie Davies. Their collective effort brought the home side within striking distance of victory, a remarkable feat considering the regular fall of wickets during the chase.

For New Zealand A, Tim Seifert showcased his brilliance, crafting a meticulously controlled century highlighted by six powerful sixes. His partnership of 76 runs with Leo Carter salvaged the innings from a precarious 39 for 3. Meanwhile, the Australian bowler Henry Thornton continued his sensational form, adding four more wickets to his tally, making it a remarkable 11 wickets in just two outings, following his stunning 7 for 39 in the second game.

During Australia A’s chase, Matt Short played a pivotal role in the early stages but was dismissed by the promising Will O’Rourke, who later went on to dismiss Josh Phillipe and Ashton Turner, breathing life back into New Zealand A’s hopes.