Australia-A seize control as India-A falter in Puducherry 'Test'

Australia-A seized control of the third day of the second ‘Test’ at the Siechem Cricket Stadium in Puducherry on Thursday, leaving India-A 28 for one at stumps and still 337 runs short of the target.

Australia-A had tightened the contest in the morning by bowling India-A out for 167 to take a 191-run first-innings lead, then reached 173 for four before captain Handscomb declared. Australia-A’s match totals read 358 and 173/4 decl. in 49 overs, while India-A’s scores were 167 in 68 overs and 28/1 in 13 overs.

The visitors reduced India-A to 167 in the morning session, with B. Sai Sudharsan chopping onto a short, wide Todd Murphy delivery to depart. Shaik Rasheed, who had been watchful, was then beaten by Liam Hatcher’s reverse-swing as a length ball crept back into his off-stump.

Corey Rocchiccioli removed Tanush Kotian when one turned square and ran through bat and pad; India-A lost its final five wickets for just 10 runs. The collapse completed Australia-A’s advantage and set up a challenging final day for the hosts.

Earlier, Josh Philippe (26, 41b, 3x4) and Sam Konstas (40, 72b, 1x4) compiled a 50-run opening stand that underpinned Australia-A’s second-innings platform. Philippe was run out after pursuing a risky single and was dismissed by a Tushar Deshpande direct hit, and Konstas later had his leg-stump broken after shuffling across to Kotian.

Jason Sangha was reprieved on zero when Devdutt Padikkal spilled an edge at first slip off Kotian, and Sangha made the most of the chance, sweeping the first ball after his escape and depositing Kotian into the sight-screen en route to 44 not out (63b, 4x4, 1x6). Handscomb declared with Sangha approaching a half-century.

India-A will resume on the final day needing 337 runs to reach Australia-A’s target, with Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli remaining the principal bowling threats as the match moves to its decisive session.