Day 1 Report, Australia A hold advantage against India A despite Hardik Pandya endeavors
AUS A hold advantage against IND A despite Pandya endeavors
Australia A were in firm control of proceedings on Day One of the second Test against India A. They continued to make most of their momentum from the first Test win and kept India A at 169 for 9 at Stumps, after bad light forced the umpires to call it a day. A hard-fought 79 not out from Hardik Pandya, who along with Varun Aaron remained unbeaten at the crease, was the highlight for India A, on a day dominated by Australia A’s quickies. New-ball bowlers Kane Richardson and Jackson Bird, took three wickets each, to dent India A’s first innings total.
After Joe Burns won the toss on Day One at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane, and decided to bowl, Richardson made the first breakthrough and was rewarded for following a consistent line. Left-hander Faiz Fazal edged one to second slip, where Nic Maddinson. Karun Nair was next to depart, run-out to a direct hit from Hilton Cartwright, trying to steal a quick single. Chadd Sayers and Bird soon struck again in a span of three deliveries as India A were left reeling at 11 for 4. While Akhil Herwadkar got a faint edge to the wicketkeeper Sam Whiteman, Bird trapped Manish Pandey in front to get him out for a first ball duck.
India A’s captain Naman Ojha and Sanju Samson tried to go into damage-control mode, but Samson could not stay long at the crease and became victim Cartwright’s victim, getting bowled for 13. First ball after lunch, Ojha was struck in front off Bird and India were 46 for 6 then. Pandya, then along with Jayant Yadav added 78 runs for the seventh wicket. Pandya played na few upper cuts too off the Australian seamers.
Richardson though got the eighth wicket, as he bowled Yadav for 28. After Tea on Day One, Dhawal Kulkarni and Shardul Thakur were wrapped up easily by the pair Richardson and Bird respectively, and then, bad light didn’t let any further play to continue.
Brief Scores
India A 169 for 9 (Hardik Pandya 79*, Kane Richardson 3 for 37, Jackson Bird 3 for 53) vs Australia A