2nd Unofficial Test: Manav Suthar Picks Five As Australia A Post 350/9 On Day 1 Vs India A | Cricket News

Captain Nathan McSweeney’s steadfast 74 and Jack Edwards’ brilliant 88 powered Australia A to 350/9 against India A at the end of the first day of the second unofficial Test in Lucknow.

Australia A flourished with individual performances, while India A found hope in left-arm spinner Manav Suthar’s five-wicket haul, keeping the hosts in the game.

What Happened On Day 1 Of 2nd Unofficial Test Between India A & Australia A?

The opening hour echoed last year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy rivalry as Mohammed Siraj aggressively bowled to Australia’s young Test batter Sam Konstas. Siraj persistently sought Konstas’ wicket, while Prasidh Krishna’s delivery induced Campbell Kellaway to edge the ball straight to Sai Sudharsan at gully.

After a restrained start, Konstas hit his first boundary on his 22nd delivery, driving Gurnoor Brar’s overpitched ball. Australia A skipper Nathan McSweeney started strong with three consecutive fours. The scorching heat in Lucknow led to a drinks break after the 18th over. McSweeney and Konstas played cautiously, leaving Australia A at 77/1 in 27 overs by the end of the first session.

In the second session, McSweeney hit a four off Siraj, and Konstas added two more boundaries against Krishna. Desperately needing a breakthrough, Siraj dismissed Konstas on 49, caught by Dhruv Jurel. McSweeney reached his fifty in 110 balls, capitalizing on a missed catch by N Jagadeesan at 40. With Australia A at 137/2 in 41 overs, left-arm spinner Manav Suthar triggered a middle-order collapse.

Oliver Peake (29 off 39) became Suthar’s first victim, bowled through the gap between his bat and pads. Cooper Connolly, undecided on his footwork against a slightly full delivery, edged to Jagadeesan and was out for a two-ball duck. McSweeney hit a boundary off Krishna as the teams went to tea with Australia A at 186/4.

Gurnoor Brar struck early in the final session, dismissing McSweeney on 74, caught by Ayush Badoni at midwicket. Suthar continued his wicket-taking spree, with Will Sutherland out for 10(27) after a sharp leg slip catch by Jurel. Suthar completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Corey Rocchiccioli on 2(5). Despite wickets falling around him, Jack Edwards counterattacked, quickly reaching his fifty with several boundaries.

Gurnoor ended Edwards’ aggressive innings on 88(78) with a leading edge caught by Krishna. The day concluded with Australia A’s last-wicket pair, Henry Thornton and Todd Murphy, resisting to finish on 350/9.

(With inputs from ANI)