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Nathan McSweeney-led Australia A beat Ruturaj Gaikwad's India A by six wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to win the two-match series. Teenager Sam Konstas starred with a half-century as the hosts chased down 168 despite Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft geting out for their respective golden ducks to Prasidh Krishna.
Jurel hits another fifty
Earlier, starting the day at 73/5, Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy shared a 94-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Jurel went on to score his second consecutive half-century in the match. He got out trying to take on Corey Rocchiccioli. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 68 runs from 122 balls featuring five fours.
Reddy missed his half-century as he edged one to wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson off Beau Webster's bowling. Reddy scored 38 runs from 81 balls including five fours and a six. Tanush Kotian and Krishna ensured that the bowlers have over 150 to defend. Krishna hit five fours in his 43-ball 29. Kotian missed his half-century as well. He fell to skipper McSweeney. Kotian's 44 off 84 balls was laced with four fours and a six. Mukesh Kumar was the last to fall. He got out lbw to Rocchiccioli. India A were bowled out for 229 and set a target of 168.
Krishna strikes twice but Konstas take Aussies home
In the first over, Krishna struck twice. First Marcus Harris edged one to Jurel trying to play the cover drive. On the next ball, Cameron Bancroft got out lbw for a golden duck. Skipper McSweeney could not live up to the expectations and got out for 25 off 69 balls. Mukesh got the breakthrough. Oliver Davies looked to score quickly but could not carry on. He got bowled by Kotian for a 22-ball 21.
Konstas and Webster ensured that no more wickets fall in the run chase and the hosts get over the line. The umpires extended the time on Day 3 as Australia A neared the target. They chased it down with six wickets in hand and a day's play to spare. Konstas and Webster shared an unbeaten 96-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Konstas scored 73 runs from 128 balls including seven fours and a six. On the other end, Webster's 66-ball 46 featured with six fours.
Batting collapses for India A, Harris shines
Earlier, McSweeney won the toss and opted to bowl first. India suffered a top-order collapse. Michael Neser struck thrice to dismiss Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan and Gaikwad. KL Rahul was dismissed by Scott Boland. Jurel starred with a gritty 80 as India A posted 161 on the board.
Harris single-handedly helped Australia A post 223 with his 74-run knock. Krishna bagged four wickets, Mukesh scalped two whereas Khaleel Ahmed bagged a couple.
