Holland, Neser keep Australia A fighting

Usman Khawaja will be hoping to back up his first-innings century when play resumes on Tuesday, currently unbeaten on 16 alongside Travis Head (13) with Australia A 1-42. And after Australia A's middle order all missed out in the opening dig, combining for just four runs between Head at first-drop and No.5 Mitch Marsh, the tourist will be desperate to impress with Test spots on the line.

Kurtis Patterson was the sole Australia A wicket to fall on Monday, caught behind on 13 after the tourist earlier bowled India A out for 274, a lead of 31 runs. Khawaja and Head then navigated a tricky period before stumps to eke out an 11-run advantage. 

India A had started day two on 0-41, with openers Mayank Agarwal and Ravikumar Samarth adding just 21 runs to their overnight total Michael Neser struck, removing Agarwal for 47. Samarth’s innings came an end immediately after drinks, handing Test hopeful Holland his first wicket of the match, before Neser claimed his second just three overs later, catching Shreyas Iyer shouldering arms to an inswinger that struck off stump. A direct hit from Marnus Labuschagne at cover handed Australia A its fourth, leaving the host looking shaky at 4-116.

With the conditions continuing to produce the reverse swing that had Australia A’s batters in trouble on the opening day, India A No.5 Ankit Bawne fought his way to 91no, remaining unbeaten as Holland and Neser worked their way through the host’s lower order. Holland bowled both Srikar Bharat and Krishnappa Gowtham, while Neser trapped Kuldeep Yadav lbw before striking immediately with the second new ball; with a brilliant return catch sending Navdeep Saini on his way without scoring. A run out then brought India A’s innings to an end on 274, a lead of 31 runs over its rival. Neser finished with 4-61 from his 20 overs.