More Problems For Australia Against India A

More Problems For Australia Against India A

Manoj Tiwary became the second Indian of the innings to reach three figures.

©REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui. Picture Supplied by Action Images

India A 451 (Tiwary 129, Agar 3-107) v
Australians 131-4 (Watson 84)
Tour Match, Chennai, day two
Day One Report

A late Australia collapse gave India A the honours for the second successive day in Chennai. Responding to the home side’s 451, Shane Watson and Ed Cowan had shared a dominant 116 for the first-wicket before the Indian spin pair of Jalaj Saxena and Rakesh Dhurv struck twice each to cause a collapse of four for 11.

Earlier, Manoj Tiwary had moved from his overnight 77 to record his 18th first-class century. However, there was slightly brighter news for Australia’s spinners, especially youngster Ashton Agar, who finished with three for 107 to recover from a difficult day one.

It was the ever-consistent Peter Siddle, though, who took the first wicket of day two, having wicket-keeper Muralidharen Gautam caught behind in the fourth over. Tiwary then found support from Saxena and the pair added 76 for the sixth-wicket prior to Tiwary’s departure for a well-made 129.

It was then that Agar came to the fore. He ended Dhurv’s little cameo, which included three sixes, having him caught by Usman Khawaja and then proceeded to remove Vinay Kumar with the very next ball and Manpreet Gony in his next over. Nathan Lyon ended the innings by having last man Dhawal Kulkarni caught for one as Australia’s three spinners ended with the combined figures of eight for 328 at an economy rate of 4.39 per over. The pace bowlers conceded 2.11 an over, having taken two wickets.

It was then the Australians’ turn to lay into the weaker part of their opponents’ attack. Stand-in captain Watson and his opening partner Cowan scored 116 in less than 23 overs before being finally parted shortly after the introduction of spin. Only Vinay Kumar could keep his economy rate below four an over, with Gony being particularly harshly dealt with, going for 37 runs from four overs.

Cowan was the first to succumb to the spin threat when trapped in front by left-arm spinner Dhurv, with Phil Hughes following suit just three balls later to Saxena’s off-spin. Watson became Dhurv’s second victim, ending his innings at 84 off 87 balls, with Khawaja bowled to bring to a close his tortured innings at one off 24 balls. Matthew Wade and Moises Henriques saw the tourists through the remaining six overs until stumps, but they trail by 320 runs going into the third and final day, having, so far, come out second best against India’s second string side.

© Cricket World 2013