Sheffield Shield: Nathan McSweeney statement ton puts South Australia on top at the WACA Ground

The stage is set for Cam Green to win a confidence boost ahead of the Ashes and Western Australia to win their first Sheffield Shield victory of the season on the final day against South Australia at the WACA Ground.

It comes as SA skipper Nathan McSweeney followed in the footsteps of Cameron Bancroft with a timely statement ton to keep his name in Ashes discussions.

McSweeney (103) was in early on day three as WA sported black armbands in tribute to 17-year-old Melbourne cricketer Ben Austin, who died after being struck in the neck by a cricket ball this week.

McSweeney, 26, has slipped from the radar after making his Test debut as an opener against India in Perth last summer, but will keep his name in consideration after turning a sub-30 per cent strike rate into 61.31 across the day, including reaching triple figures with a six.

“As a batter, there’s no real confidence (builder) than making runs, so I’m glad I could spend some time out there today and hopefully kick start the rest of the shield season,” he said.

“Playing in that baggy green is an awesome feeling, but for me it’s just about trying to play my best cricket, win games for South Australia, make hundreds, and hopefully one day I get another crack.

“Whether it be this series or whenever the time comes, I’ll be ready to go.”

The knock gives SA, at 4-297 with a 205-run lead, the ascendancy and the ability to dictate the final day with rain forecast to cause havoc on Friday.

Nearly an hour was lost before play started on day three as the unseasonal rain continued to linger, but the action didn’t reach any great heights even after they got started.

Conor McInerney produced a horror leave, allowing a ball from Corey Rocchiccioli to thump into his off stump.

But that was all the joy WA enjoyed through the first two sessions as dour pair Henry Hunt and McSweeney ground out a lead for the visitors.

The ante was upped halfway through the second session, but the most notable moments happened away from the middle.

Play was paused as the local bee swarm took their time in the limelight, while the WA drinks carriers were so enthused by proceedings, they entertained themselves with sprint races to see who could get to the middle from the boundary the fastest.

The fans were given a welcome sight during the tea break as young gun Mahli Beardman was given a light running session before he joins the Australian T20 squad over the weekend.

It was then a fellow young gun who had the members in the Boundary Room exclaiming “finally” with Cooper Connolly removing Hunt for 84 with the first over after tea. It was his first shield wicket.

It didn’t stop McSweeney, who picked up speed and class on his way to a century, brought up with a six, that will keep is name in and around Ashes selection.

But he turned up the aggression, and it opened the door for WA as a diving Joel Curtis pouched an inside edge down the leg side.