Mumbai: India A lost the two match series against Australia A at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Sunday. The rain played spoilsport as the entire fourth day was washed out. India A would be disappointed that they could not play to their potential and missed the chance to square the series.
The drawn result meant that Australia A clinch the series as they played the key moments well in the series and hung in there to win the first match by three wickets.
India A had ended the third day at 158 for 4, still 108 behind Australia A’s first-innings score of 435. The visitors had scored 169 all out in their first innings on the first day.
The Australians were well placed to make it two-nil heading into the fourth and final day today, needing six wickets to win the match, while India A still required another 109 runs to make the hosts bat again.
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is out of favour, proved his worth by scoring a swashbuckling 79 out of the total of 169. Shardul Thakur proved a point and bowled well despite losing his place in the Test side and returned with impressive figure of 5/101 in Australia A’s first innings.
Akhil Herwadkar scored a crucial 82 in the second innings as India A ended the third day at 158/4.
All-rounder Hilton Cartwright was adjudged player of the match for his excellent 117 in Australia’s total of 435, while Nic Maddinson (81), Beau Webster (79) and Sam Whiteman (51) all made impressive contributions for the home side.
On the bowling front, Kane Richardson (4/37) and Jon Holland (3/59) were the top performers for Australia A.
Rahul Dravid, coach would be tad disappointed that his wards played sloppy cricket and missed out winning on Australian soil. India A won the four nation one day series and overall it was a commendable performance on foreign shores.