Press Trust of India
Chennai, August 10: Australia A batsmen once again showed their prowess in tackling the Indian spin attack on a difficult track as they comfortably beat the hosts by three wickets to enter the final of the tri-series tournament, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here, Monday.
Chasing a target of 259 runs on a slow track that was offering some turn, Chris Lynn (63, 61b, 5×4, 3×6) and Travis Head (45, 43b, 8×4) batted beautifully to negate the threats of the opposition bowlers. But Australia were reduced 178 for six at one stage before the experienced Callum Ferguson (45 n o, 63b, 2×4) and young Adam Zampa (54, 49b, 7×4, 1×6) added 80 runs for the seventh wicket in 13.3 overs to take their team to the summit clash.
Karn Sharma (3/45) had a much improved outing as he kept India in the game till the 35th over. However, it was the Ferguson-Zampa partnership that sealed the match for the visitors.
Earlier, India A reached 258 for nine in the stipulated overs primarily due to in-form Mayank Agarwal’s run a ball 61 (61b, 7×4, 1×6) and Manish Pandey’s quickfire 50 (38b, 2×4, 2×6).
Pandey in fact should be lauded for his effort as he survived a gash on his cheek, which required a couple of stitches after he collided with opposition wicket-keeper Matthew Wade while taking a run. The Karnataka batsman retired hurt for the time being and came back to the wicket after the fall of the fifth wicket.
Left arm orthodox spinner, Ashton Agar (5/39) took his maiden fifer in List A cricket to rip out the heart of India’s batting line-up. Pacer Gurinder Sandhu (2/66), gave him good company.
Down the order, Rishi Dhawan’s (26 n o, 23b, 2×4) quickfire cameo helped India cross the 250-run mark but in the end it proved to be too little too less for the hosts as their spinners failed to deliver.
