India 'A' tour to Aus: Thrilling finish on cards

India ‘A’ need six wickets, hosts need 100 for victory

A total of 12 wickets fell on a rain-hit day as Australia ‘A’ found themselves 100 runs adrift of victory against India ‘A’ on the third day of the first unofficial four-day Test at the Allan Border Field, in Brisbane, on Saturday.

While Australia were 59 for four at stumps in their chase 159, India ‘A’ need six wickets.

Having taken a two-run first-innings lead, India ‘A’ started on 44/2 and collapsed to 156 all out, which they eventually managed due to a 46-run knock from Jayant Yadav at No 8.

Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur's two wickets in consecutive balls then left the hosts precariously placed at 4/59.

Earlier, batting under overcast conditions, India lost overnight batsman Manish Pandey in the ninth ball of the day. Shreyas Iyer, India ‘A’ captain Naman Ojha and Karun Nair all followed suit in quick succession, before Jayant, coming in at 90 for six, steadied the ship.

Jayant was the last man dismissed, caught off medium-pacer Chadd Sayers in the last ball of the 48th over. He faced 75 balls for his 46 and struck eight fours.

For Australia ‘A’, Daniel Worrall, David Moody and Chadd Sayers took three wickets each, while leg spinner Mitchell Swepson accounted for Thakur.

Brief Scores: India ‘A’: 2nd inn 156/10 in 48 overs (J Yadav 46, C Sayers 3/21, D Worrall 3/43, D Moody 3/64); Australia ‘A’: 2nd inn 59/4 in 22 overs (C Bancroft 16*, S Thakur 2/14)