Australia A received the day — and the match — however extra failures within the prime order in opposition to India A on Saturday added to the intrigue over Take a look at squad picks.
Marcus Harris was caught behind for a golden duck after lunch on the MCG and out-of-sorts No.3 Cameron Bancroft went the subsequent ball, trapped lbw additionally for a golden duck.
Captain Nathan McSweeney was additionally caught behind for 25, to go together with his 14 within the first innings, after he was elevated to a gap function on this recreation as a Take a look at match audition.
Younger gun Sam Konstas was the one hopeful to shine on Saturday, making 73no as Australia A received by 5 wickets with a day spare.
However Konstas probably wanted a a lot larger rating on this recreation to push for a shock Take a look at debut.
The Australian squad for the primary Take a look at in Perth in opposition to India from November 22 will likely be introduced on Sunday in Melbourne. The one unknown is who will likely be introduced into the squad to associate Usman Khawaja to open.
Konstas survived the hat-trick ball from India A opening bowler Pradish Krishna after Harris and Bancroft had been dismissed.
Chasing 168 for victory, Australia attain 4-169 late on day three, with in-form all-rounder Beau Webster making 42no in a 96-run stand with Konstas.
Mukesh Kumar additionally had McSweeney caught behind with an excellent supply.
Bancroft is badly out of shape, having scored simply 29 runs in his eight first-class innings to this point this summer time.
Earlier on Saturday, lusty late-order hitting from India A meant one other alternative for the Australian Take a look at opener candidates to impress nationwide selectors.
Resuming at 5-73, India A had been dismissed for 229, shedding their final three wickets shortly after lunch.
The favored pondering is that McSweeney will open with Khawaja for the primary Take a look at in opposition to India.
However Harris did no hurt to his claims for a Take a look at recall with a prime rating of 74.
Bancroft and Konstas had been dismissed within the first innings for 3 apiece.
After 25 wickets fell on the primary two days, the MCG wicket appeared to have misplaced a few of its venom on Saturday and the India A tailenders went to work.
No.6 Dhruv Jurel was dropped on 25 and he made the house aspect pay, reaching 68 earlier than spinner Corey Rocchiccioli had him caught within the deep.
He placed on 94 for the sixth wicket with Nitish Kumar Reddy to make sure the match wouldn’t finish early.
Reddy made 38 earlier than Beau Webster claimed his third wicket of the innings, with the batsman caught behind making an attempt a hook shot.
Tanush Kotian (44) and Krishna (29) placed on 49 for the eighth wicket, earlier than an excellent catch by Konstas within the deep off Rocchiccioli eliminated Krishna.
Rocchiccioli took 4-74 and Webster continued his sturdy kind with 3-49.
AAP
