India A will need to score another 199 runs on the final day in their pursuit of a target of 262 against Australia A in the first Test of the two-match series. Stumps on the third day, India A were 63/2 with in-form Mayank Agarwal batting on 25 in a company of Ankit Bawne(6 batting). Abhimanyu Easwaran (O) and captain Shreyas Iyer (28) left the scene, leaving India A struggling at 33/2 in 9.1 overs. Earlier, Travis Head’s crucial 87 helped Australia A reach 292 after being reduced to 134/4 at one point. Batting fist, Australia A had sceored 243 in the first innings with the help of an unbeaten century by Usman Khawaja, but his performance was overshadowed by Pacer Mohammed Siraj’s 8/59.
In reply, India took a slender lead of 31 runs over Australia A before posting 274 all out in first innings, with the help of Bawne’s patient 91 runs.
Michale Neser (4/61) and Jon Holland (3/89) were the most successful bowlers for Australia A as they picked up seven wickets between them.
Resuming Day Three at 42/1, Head scored a fighting 87 as Aussies staged a recovery.
SCORES: Australia A 243 & 42/1 (U, Khawaja 16*, M. Siraj 1/20) vs India A 274 (A. Bawne 91*, M. Neser 4/61).
From Online Sources
Kajal
SPORTSNASHA
