Puducherry, 25 September (H.S.): Powered by an outstanding bowling performance from Shams Mulani, India A defeated Australia A by 162 runs in the first unofficial Test on Friday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Chasing a target of 363, Australia A were bowled out for 200 in 55.1 overs in their second innings on the fourth day. The players’ names have been cross-checked against current squad and match records.

Australia A resumed the day at 55 for two and needed another 308 runs for victory, but the Indian bowlers kept the pressure on from the outset. Fast bowler Anshul Kamboj provided the early breakthroughs. Nathan McSweeney was caught in the gully, while two overs later, Peter Handscomb was bowled by a delivery that kept low.

Tushar Deshpande then produced an impressive display of reverse swing to further damage Australia A’s innings. He bowled Josh Philippe and, with the very next delivery, dismissed Liam Scott. Deshpande finished the second innings with three wickets for 14 runs.

Jason Sangha was given a reprieve on 11 when a stumping opportunity went begging, while India also appealed for lbw in the same over but chose not to review the decision. Sangha, however, could not survive for long and was bowled for 26 by Tanush Kotian while attempting a slog sweep.

Fergus O’Neill and Todd Murphy then put together a 67-run eighth-wicket partnership to delay Australia A’s defeat. It was Australia A’s only half-century partnership of the match.

After lunch, India A needed only 6.1 overs to complete the victory. Mulani had O’Neill caught at deep midwicket. Murphy was then sent back by a fine catch from B. Sai Sudharsan at leg gully. Shaik Rasheed completed a forward-diving catch at long-off to dismiss Brendan Doggett, bringing Australia A’s innings to an end at 200.

Mulani finished the match with seven wickets, taking four in the first innings and three in the second. Deshpande claimed three wickets in the second innings, while Kamboj took two.

Earlier, India A posted 334 in their first innings, with Kumar Kushagra scoring 113 and Tanush Kotian making 69. In the second innings, Devdutt Padikkal contributed 59 and Kushagra remained unbeaten on 46 as India A set Australia A a target of 363. Match records confirm the spellings of Kumar Kushagra, Tanush Kotian, Devdutt Padikkal, Shams Mulani, Tushar Deshpande and Anshul Kamboj.

Brief Scores:

India A: 334 and 199 (Devdutt Padikkal 59, Kumar Kushagra not out 46; Todd Murphy 4/48)

Australia A: 171 and 200 (Fergus O’Neill 47; Tushar Deshpande 3/14, Shams Mulani 3/57, Anshul Kamboj 2/25)

Result: India A won by 162 runs.

The second unofficial Test will also be played at the same venue from September 29 to October 2, with Australia A looking to level the series.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar