The first unofficial Test between India A and England Lions has been heavily dominated by the batters from both sides. First, it was Karun Nair who played an incredible knock of 204 and was assisted well by Sarfaraz Khan (92) and Dhruv Jurel (94). Thanks to them, the visitors posted a mammoth first inning total of 557 before getting bundled out.
In reply, the English batters also dominated on the pitch at the St. Lawrence Ground in Canterbury. Tom Haines (171), Max Holden (101) and Dan Mousley (113) scored brilliant centuries to help the hosts in taking their total over the 500-run mark by the end of the third day of the Test.
Sarfaraz Khan took a brilliant one-handed catch in the slips
Haines was the batter who punished the Indian bowlers the most and at one stage, looked set to score a double-hundred. However, he was sent back to the pavilion on 171 thanks to a blinding catch from Sarfaraz in the slips.
In the 100th over of England's innings, Haines tried to drive Shardul Thakur's delivery to the off-side, but ended up edging it straight to the slips. Though the ball was quite far from Sarfaraz, the 27-year-old made a fantastic dive to his right and caught a sensational one-handed catch.
Sarfaraz, who often gets trolled on social media for his weight and his fitness, gave a fitting reply to all his doubters with the catch. Also, the batter recently went through a body transformation where he lost 10 kilograms by following a strict dietary routine. Despite this, he wasn't picked in the India squad that will be touring England for a five-match Test series, starting from June 20.
However, Sarfaraz was given a place in the India A squad for the two unofficial Tests against the England Lions and so far, his performance with the bat and in the field have been commendable. If he keeps on going like this, then a return to the senior Test squad could very well be on the cards in the coming future.
England Lions ended the third day on 527/7 with Nair getting the big wicket of Mousley on the final ball of the day's play. Zaman Akhter is currently unbeaten on 38 and will be joined by a new batter on the crease as the fourth day commences. For India A, pacer Mukesh Kumar has so far been the pick of the bowlers, recording figures of 3/75 in 21 overs.
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