Australia A vs India A 2nd unofficial Test: Sam Konstas, Beau Webster guide Australia A to a series win 

by Sahil Jain
Sam Konstas and Beau Webster

Australia A romped home to a six-wicket win in the second unofficial Test and won the series 2-0. It was 19-year-old Sam Konstas who starred with an unbeaten 73 in the fourth innings. Beau Webster made a mark as well with 46 not out after taking six wickets across the two innings with the ball.

The batting faltered for India A in both innings. Australia A won the toss and opted to bowl first. They reduced India A to 11/4 as the renowned top four of Abhimanyu Easwaran, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan and skipper Sai Sudarshan fell in quick succession. Michael Neser took three of those wickets while Scott Boland accounted for one.

Dhruv Jurel performed beautifully as he top-scored with 80. He looked composed and solid throughout his 186-ball knock. His knock ensured India A reach 161. Neser finished with 4/27 but he limped off the field due to injury. Webster was also impressive as he picked up three scalps.

The India A bowlers also kept chipping away with wickets. Just when it looked like Australia A would end almost on par with India A, Nathan McAndrew (26*) and Corey Rocchiccioli (35) added 56 runs for the 9th wicket and ensured a 62-run lead for the hosts. Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna and Khaleel Ahmed shared all the nine wickets between them (Neser did not bat).

Jurel shines once again in the second innings for India A but Australia A chase down 168

India A once again crumbled with the bat. The top order failed to make an impact as they slipped to 56/5. It was Jurel once again who batted superbly and scored 68. There were lower-order contributions which propelled India A past the lead of 150. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian and Krishna combined to score 111 runs. 

Chasing 168, Australia A suffered an early stutter. Krishna struck twice in two balls in the first over as he dismissed Harris and Cameron Bancroft for first-ball ducks. Skipper Nathan McSweeney and Konstas stitched a 47-run stand to put the hosts back on track. But the former was caught behind as Mukesh got his first wicket of the innings. Oliver Davies walked in and struck a few boundaries before he was bowled by off-spinner Kotian.  

That was the last success that India A tasted as Konstas combined with Webster to take Australia A home. The duo added 96 runs for the fifth wicket. Konstas who battled through the new ball opened up and scored a few boundaries once he was set. The same was the case with Webster who found boundaries at regular intervals.  

Australia A wrapped up the series 2-0. KL Rahul who was sent to Australia early before the big Test series failed to impress as he scored just 14 runs in the two innings combined. Abhimanyu Easwaran couldn’t make a mark either. Jurel and Krishna were the two highlights for India A in the game.  

For Australia A, Konstas and McSweeney seem to be leading the race for the second opener. McSweeney performed really well in the first match while the 19-year-old shone brightly in the second.  

BRIEF SCORES: India A 161 (Dhruv Jurel 90, Devdutt Padikkal 26, Michael Neser 4/27, Beau Webster 3/19) and 229 (Dhruv Jurel 68, Corey Rocchiccioli 4/74, Beau Webster 3/49) lost to Australia A 223 (Marcus Harris 74, Corey Rocchiccioli 35, Prasidh Krishna 4/50, Mukesh Kumar 3/41) and 169/4 (Sam Konstas 73*, Beau Webster 46* Prasidh Krishna 2/37) by 6 wickets.

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