Australia A dug in against India A in a desperate bid to save the unofficial Test series.
India’s first innings 505 put huge pressure on Australia A, who were 38-2 overnight coming into the final day. Their batsmen dug in for the long haul, as Travis Head scored 47 off 129 balls, adding 79 for the third wicket with Peter Handscomb, whose 56 came off 153 balls.
Marnus Labuschagne ‘celebrated’ being called up for the Australian Test squad in unlikely fashion, securing a pair after being caught by Shubman Gill off Deepak Chahar. Mitchell Marsh scored a resolute 36 off 79 balls, but when he was bowled by Krishnappa Gowtham, it left Australia on 197-7.
Michael Neser scored 17 off 112 balls and Chris Tremain scored just one run off 41 balls as the tail end did its best to bat out time. They finally succumbed in the 103rd over, being bowled out for 213.
Kuldeep Yadav took 3-46 to take his match haul to eight, backed by Gowtham (3-39), Chahar (2-30) and Shahbaz Nadeem (2-67).
India chased down the 55 required for victory off 6.2 overs, losing two wickets in the mad scramble for runs to draw the series 1-1. Neser and Tremain picked up two wickets apiece, while Ankit Bawne was not out on 28 off 18 balls when victory was secured.
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
