India's A team have been cleared of ball-tampering and will escape any sanction, after initially appearing to be accused of causing scratches on it against Australia A.

In an explosive start to the summer, the A-match in Mackay threatened to boil over on Sunday morning when umpires changed the ball before play on day four.

Umpire Shawn Craig also appeared to lay the blame for the matter with the tourists, who surrounded the officials to complain about the decision to change the ball.

"When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let's play," Craig could be heard saying on the stump microphone.

India's wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan was then warned by Craig he could face further sanction, after telling officials it was a "stupid decision".

"You will be on report for dissent, that is very inappropriate behaviour," Craig replied.

"Because of your actions we changed the ball."

However, officials opted against pursuing any further action after Australia wrapped up a seven-wicket win, with Nathan McSweeney pushing his Test case with an unbeaten 88.

"The ball used in the fourth innings of the match was changed due to deterioration," a Cricket Australia spokesman said.

"Both teams' captain and manager were informed of the decision prior to the start of play. No further action is being taken."

AAP understands there was no footage that showed how the ball had deteriorated, or any evidence that pointed to one particular player.

Umpires also did not hand down a five-run penalty on field.

Kishan will also escape any sanction, with the matter now considered closed ahead of the next A-game starting in Melbourne on Thursday.

While occurring in an A-game, any fallout from the alleged incident would have had the potential to overshadow the start of the summer.

Kishan is not part of India's Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins in Perth on November 22.

Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, all-rounder Nitish Kumar and batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran are the only players in the India A side that form part of the Test squad.

There is no indication at this stage who umpires believe was responsible for the alleged tampering.

Once play resumed, the South Australia all-rounder hit an unbeaten 88 from 178 balls as part of a 141 partnership with Tasmania's Beau Webster (61 not out).

With other contenders Sam Konstas (0 and 16), Marcus Harris (17 and 36) and Cameron Bancroft (0 and 16) largely failing to impress, it was an innings that could yet be enough for the 25-year-old to earn a shock spot as opener in the first Test against India in Perth later this month.

The South Australia captain top-scored with a patient 39 runs in the first innings and repeated his efforts in the second, completing victory with a fine pull shot.

Having been christened as a leading contender by ABC Sport pundit Darren Lehmann earlier this week, as well as former skipper Ricky Ponting, McSweeney underlined his credentials with another mature innings.

McSweeney averages 37.25 in first-class cricket with six centuries.

Ahead of this match, he scored 137 against Queensland in the One Day Cup after recording a half-century in the second innings of the Redbacks's Sheffield Shield victory.

He also scored 55 and an unbeaten 127 — his highest first-class score — against New South Wales in the season opener.

Australia A were always favourites to complete the victory in the first unofficial Test after India's paltry first innings effort of 107.

And, resuming at 3-139 at the start of day four, the unbeaten pair made short work of India's bowlers but not without some early drama, when the umpires requested a ball change.

AAP/ABC