Despite a five wicket haul by Mumbai speedster Shardul Thakur and a determined unbeaten innings of 82 from Akhil Herwadkar India ‘A’ were in dire straits on Day Three of the second unofficial Test against Australia ‘A’ here on Saturday.
Herwadkar and Shardul Thakur
Herwadkar and Shardul Thakur
Brisbane: Despite a five wicket haul by Mumbai speedster Shardul Thakur and a determined unbeaten innings of 82 from Akhil Herwadkar India ‘A’ were in dire straits on Day Three of the second unofficial Test against Australia ‘A’ here on Saturday.
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At stumps, India were 158 for the loss of four wickets, still trailing Australia’s first innings score by 108 runs and one more day to go.
Starting the day at 319-5, the hosts rode on Hilton Cartwright’s second first-class ton as they went on to post 435 in the first innings.
Cartwright scores a ton
Cartwright went on to make 117 before edging an outswinger from Thakur to wicketkeeper Naman Ojha.
Sam Whiteman’s half-century (51) and some late lower-order hitting by Jackson Bird (24) propelled Australia’s lead to over 250. Thakur finished with figures of 5-101 on a pitch that had flattened out after Day One. Trailing by 266, Herwadkar along with Faiz Fazal looked in good touch, as they negotiated the new ball with some assertive batting. Herwadkar unleashed some fluent drives, while Fazal nudged and deflected the ball into gaps, as the pair added 84 for the opening stand. Unfortunately for India, a mix-up led to Fazal being run out for 29. It was also the start of a mini collapse triggered by left-arm spinner Jon Holland (3-59).
Mini collapse
Holland first trapped Karun Nair (one) plumb in front with a faster one. He then had Manish Pandey (eight) caught at short-midwicket and then had Naman Ojha caught at first slip for a duck.
Just when it looked like the match day could end on Day Three itself, Herwadkar and Samson (34 not out) steadied the ship. Herwadkar displayed immense concentration as he waited for the bad ball but also rotated the strike with clever dabs. The left-hander brought up his 50 with a six over mid-wicket as he overcame all the different strategies Australia conjured up at him.
The pair added 58 for the fifth wicket but India will need a lot more if they are to salvage a draw out of this game.
Brief scores
India 'A' 169 & 158-4 (A Herwadkar 82*, S Samson 34*; J Holland 3-59) vs Aus 'A' 435 (H Cartwright 117, N Maddinson 81; S Thakur 5-101, J Yadav 3-95)
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