Four-day match between India 'A' and Australia 'A' is set for a thrilling final day after the hosts were reduced to 59-4, chasing 159 at Brisbane
Pacer Shardul Thakur claimed 2-14 on Day Three to put India u00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0098Au00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0099 in a strong position against Australia u00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0098Au00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0099 in Brisbane
Pacer Shardul Thakur claimed 2-14 on Day Three to put India ‘A’ in a strong position against Australia ‘A’ in Brisbane
Brisbane: The Australia 'A' versus India 'A' match is all set for a thrilling finish after the seamers of the visiting team had the hosts reeling at 59 for 4 chasing 159 for victory on Day Three of the unofficial four-day match here on Saturday.
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Resuming the day on a pitch that was under covers for majority of the night due to heavy showers, Indian batsmen found the going tough. In-form Manish Pandey (11) edged one to the cordon early to start the slide. A cameo of sparkling strokeplay from Shreyas Iyer (26 off 25 balls) ensured the runs came quick and fast. But the visitors' progress was halted after he perished trying to drive on
the rise.
Naman Ojha was trapped in front for the second time in the match for a duck. Karun Nair guided a length ball into the 'keeper's gloves and Hardik Pandya became the third batsman to be caught at the slips cordon in the morning session. India lost six wickets in the span of just 42 runs to be reduced to 120 for the loss of nine wickets.
Luckily for India 'A', Jayant Yadav (46) batted with grit and determination to put up a handy 36 runs for the last wicket with No 11 batsman Shabaz Nadeem (7 not out).
Chasing 159 to win, the Australian top order was found wanting against a quality opening spell by Shardul Thakur. The Mumbai pace bowler knocked over Australian Test opener Joe Burns and then had Travis Dean caught at point off the very next ball to leave Australia reeling at 17 for two.
First innings hero Peter Handscomb (24) tried to up the ante but he was undone by a good sharp bouncer from Pandya. Few overs later, Varun Aaron trapped Marcus Stoinis plumb in front for a duck before heavy showers ended the day's play prematurely. Australia still need 100 more runs to win with six wickets in hand.
A member of the team told mid-day, “We are confident we can get the job done tomorrow (Sunday). The ball is seaming a little and if we can get early wickets, we will put Australia under pressure.”
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