Day two of the first unofficial Test between India-A and Australia-A at Ekana Cricket Stadium saw a captivating display of cricket, eventually curtailed by persistent rain. India-A began their response with a strong foundation, but the day belonged to Australia-A’s Josh Phillippe, whose exceptional century put his team firmly in the driver’s seat.
At stumps, India-A had reached 116 for one in just 30 overs, a solid start against Australia-A’s declared total of 532 for six. Opening batsman N. Jagadeesan was unbeaten on a composed 50 runs from 95 balls, skillfully supported by his Tamil Nadu teammate Sai Sudharsan. Their partnership was brought to an untimely halt by a steady drizzle that turned into over an hour of rain, forcing an early end to the day’s play just before the tea break.
India-A’s chase began positively, with Abhimanyu Easwaran quickly finding his rhythm despite an early run-out scare. He deftly rotated the strike and scored boundaries across the wicket. Jagadeesan complemented him perfectly, kicking off his innings with an elegant on-drive and a straight boundary. The opening pair built a swift 88-run partnership before Abhimanyu, on a promising 44, unfortunately chopped a delivery from Liam Scott onto his stumps. Jagadeesan, however, continued his impressive form, reaching a well-deserved half-century before the weather intervened.
Earlier in the day, Australia-A significantly bolstered their position with an explosive morning session. Resuming their innings at 337 for five, the visitors piled on an astonishing 195 runs in merely 25 overs. This onslaught was spearheaded by Josh Phillippe, who blazed an unbeaten 123 runs off just 87 balls, and was ably assisted by Xavier Bartlett’s rapid 39 off 24 balls.
Phillippe, who had been granted an early reprieve on 26 when Jagadeesan dropped a catch, made India-A pay dearly. He swiftly brought up his fifty in 55 balls before unleashing an aggressive assault on the spinners. Harsh Dubey’s over went for a hefty 19 runs, and Tanush Kotian was struck for a six, a four, and another boundary in quick succession. The wicketkeeper-batsman’s century was a masterclass in proactive batting and clean striking. Bartlett, too, benefited from a dropped catch by Khaleel Ahmed and played with exhilarating freedom, contributing to a blistering 118-run partnership with Phillippe in just 62 balls before Australia-A declared their innings.
For India-A, the solitary moment of success in the morning came when Liam Scott, who had resumed on 47, was dismissed for a well-made 81. He mistimed a lofted drive to mid-off, providing Gurnoor Brar with a much-needed wicket.
The scores: Australia-A 532/6 decl. in 98 overs (Sam Konstas 109, Campbell Kellaway 88, Cooper Connolly 70, Liam Scott 81, Josh Phillippe 123 n.o., Harsh Dubey 3/141) vs India-A 116/1 in 30 overs (Abhimanyu Easwaran 44, N. Jagadeesan 50 batting).