AUS-A vs IND-A: Australia on course for victory despite Sai Sudharsan’s heroics

Australia A went a long way to seal victory in the first unofficial test against India despite Sai Sudharsan’s valiant effort on Day 3. Sudharsan completed a fine hundred on the day but a batting collapse from India A forced them to set a target of 225 runs. as the visitors were bundled out for 312 runs.

Australia are currently 139 for 3 and need just 86 runs to win the match at stumps on Saturday, November 2. Australia-A captain Nathan McSweeney starred with the bat in Mackay on Day 3 as he remained unbeaten on 47 after 36 from Marcus Harris earlier in the innings.

India would take a 120-run lead on Day 2 after the partnership of Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal put the visitors in a strong position. Early in the morning, Sudharsan reached his landmark with a quick single from Todd Murphy. However, the Tamil Nadu batter fell to Murphy soon after and that started the downfall for India. Padikkal would be the next man to be dismissed as Murphy picked up his second wicket of the morning.

Baba Indrajith (6) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (17) failed to make an impact as Ishan Kishan played a solitary hand in the lower order with 32 off 58 deliveries. Back-to-back wickets by Kishan and Reddy proved to be India A’s undoing and eventually the innings quickly collapsed to 312 runs.

In the end, Fergus O’Neill took 4 wickets while Murphy took 3.

Australia’s opening prospects are not good

Australia A got off to a good start before Mukesh Kumar cleaned up Sam Konstas with a brilliant delivery that sent his off stump for a walk. Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft added 41 runs, but the latter would get a beauty from Prasid Krishna and Sudharsan took the catch.

Harris was able to score 36 before taking a delivery from Suthar to Kishan behind the stumps. This meant that Australia’s first prospects in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy did not have much of an impact on the match.

McSweeney, along with Beau Webster, would then take charge of the chase and the duo would ensure Australia A reached the required target of below 90 at the end of the day’s play.

McSweeney hit 5 boundaries in his 47 off 98 balls while Webster remained unbeaten on 19.