Harper’s unbeaten century steadies Australia-A in second 'Test' at Siechem Cricket Stadium

Sam Harper scored an unbeaten century on his Australia-A debut to rescue his side on the opening day of the second 'Test' against India-A at the Siechem Cricket Stadium in Puducherry on Tuesday. He remained not out as Australia-A negotiated the full opening day.

Harper’s innings was recorded as an unbeaten 153-ball 101 (7x4, 3x6) and formed the backbone of late partnerships in the middle order; he combined for an 84-run sixth-wicket stand with Liam Scott and an 89-run seventh-wicket alliance with Todd Murphy.

Harper began his knock positively, sweeping Tanush Kotian for a boundary and hoisting him over mid-off early on. His first six came off part-timer Shaik Rasheed when he rocked back and drove beyond mid-wicket, and later he stepped out to chip Kotian and Mulani over the infield for further sixes.

Harper and Todd Murphy (33, 91b, 2x4, 1x6) endured an 87-ball period without a boundary during the final session before Anshul Kamboj removed Murphy just five deliveries into the second new ball. Harper nearly fell to the new ball as an edged delivery off Tushar Deshpande flew just past gully, and he reached his century off 146 balls.

Australia-A’s recovery had begun in the first session when Nathan McSweeney (34) and Jason Sangha (46, 75b, 6x4, 1x6) put together an 81-run stand to steady the innings. Sangha opened the scoring with a boundary punched past mid-off off Nachiket Bhute and applied himself particularly well to the slower bowlers, paddle-sweeping Mulani and clearing the sight-screen with another stroke.

Mulani bowled 14 no-balls on the day and later dismissed Jason Sangha and Nathan McSweeney in successive overs after lunch. Australia-A had won the toss.

Australia-A 282/7 in 87 overs (Jason Sangha 46, Sam Harper 101 batting) vs. India-A. Toss: Australia-A.