Aussie tailenders Todd Murphy and Henry Thornton frustrated India A bowlers as they shared a 91-run stand for the 10th wicket against India A in second of the unofficial Test series. At Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, Australia A's no.10 batter Todd Murphy scored a half-century against Dhruv Jurel-led side which featured the likes Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
Australia A lost their ninth wicket late into Day 1's play. At Stumps, Day 1, they were 350/9. India A were looking to wrap up Australia A's first innings, but the tailenders took an aggressive approach. The second new ball did not seem to trouble them much. On Day 1, Thornton started with a boundary off Krishna. Murphy had an early reprieve against Siraj when the ball went between slips and gully after an outside edge.
The short ball ploy did not work on the Australians either. They pulled and attempted upper cuts to find boundaries. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar who took five wickets on Day 1 did not trouble them either. Murphy reached his fifty from 61 balls. Muprhy and Thornton were not afraid to take the aerial route often and smashed Ayush Badoni for a six each to get Australia A past 400.
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It was tall fast bowler Gurnoor Brar who broke the partnership. Muprhy edged one to Jurel. He scored 76 runs from 89 balls, featuring 12 fours and a six. No.11 batter Thornton remained unbeaten for 32 runs from 46 balls, including three fours and a six.
Skipper leads front front, Suthar strikes
Earlier on Day 1, Jurel won the toss and opted to field first. Krishna dismissed Campbell Kellaway for a single-digit score. Sam Konstas and skipper Nathan McSweeney shared an 86 run partnership. Siraj dismissed Konstas, one run short of half-century. Suthar dismissed Oliver Peake and Cooper Conolly in consecutive overs. McSweeney could not get to three figures and lost his wicket to Brar for 74 off 162 balls. Australia A lost half their side for 202.
Edwards’ counter-attack troubles India A
Josh Philippe and Edwards launched a counterattack. Philippe hit five fours in his 33-ball 39. He got caught and bowled to Suthar. The left-arm spinner Will Sutherland and Corey Rocchiccioli cheaply as well. Meanwhile, Edwards attacked and scored 88 runs from 78 balls, including 11 fours and a six.