Australia A clinch series versus India A after final day washout

Persistent rainfall brought down the curtains on the second first-class four-day game between India A and Australia A at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field without a delivery being bowled on the last day.

The stalemate thus means that the hosts clinch the series 1-0 having grabbed a three-wicket win last week in the same venue. However, the Aussies were once again well placed to get another win heading into the final day as they needed just six wickets. India A, on the other hand, required 109 more runs to make the home side bat again.

Western Australia all-rounder Hilton Cartwright was declared the man-of-the-match for his scintillating innings of 117 which helped propelled his side to a huge first innings score of 435.Bowlers Kane Richardson (4-37) and Jon Holland (3-59) along with batsmen Nic Maddinson (81), Beau Webster (79) and Sam Whiteman (51) were the other major contributors for Australia.

For India Hardik Pandya came up with a 79 on the first day to help the visitors reach a paltry total of 169. Shardul Thakur then claimed figures of 5-101 while bowling, while in the second innings Akhil smashed his way to an unconquered on 82 in India's second innings of 4-158. On the third day, India blew away the advantage of a strong opening stand by losing four quick wickets and ended the day still 108 runs behind Australia A.

It was Australia A who had begun the day at 319/5 and then pushed to 435 to take a lead of 266 runs. Cartwright who was unbeaten on 99 overnight completed his ton and eventually fell after getting to 117.

India A knew they had a tough job on the hand and the two openers Herwadkar and Faiz Fazal started off well. They were quite lucky though as three chances went down along with a run-out opportunity. The duo eventually managed to stitch an 84-run partnership but then Fazal got run out.

The tourists then lost the next three wickets in a heap. Left-arm spinner Jon Holland picked them all as India were left struggling at 158/4 with Herwadkar and Sanju Samson (34) at the crease. Holland returned figures of 3-59 after bowling 15 overs. The left-arm tweaker could have had four had he not grassed Fazal off his own bowling.