India A vs Australia A 2018, 1st Unofficial Test, Bangalore - Match Report

Australia A drew first blood in the two-match series against India A to take an unassailable lead of 1-0. They thumped the hosts by 98 runs to seal the first game. It has been quite a game with a lot of twists and turns in it.

Mohammed Siraj’s eight-wicket haul overshines Khawaja’s 127 –

Initially, it was Australia A who won the toss and asked the hosts to roll their arms first. Accepting the challenge, Indian bowlers delivered exceptionally to bundle out their top-order. It was all about Mohammed Siraj on the first day of the game.

He rattled as many as eight wickets to his name to dismantle Australians. However, Usman Khawaja’s brilliant knock of 127 lifted Australia A to score 243 in the first innings. If not for Khawaja’s 127, it would have been worse for the visitors.

In reply, apart from Ankit Bawne, none of the batsmen utilized their starts. However, the contribution from all the batsmen pushed India to 274 by taking the 31-run lead in the first innings of the game.

Travis Head stands tall in 2nd innings:

Despite Australia A running in the second place to seal the game, it was Travis Head’s 87 that brought life to the hopes of the visitors. The southpaw batted brilliantly on a wicket that gave a lot of assistance to the bowlers.

His knock was backed up by the lower-order batsmen who contribute to set a 261-run target for India A. Chasing the tally, none of the Indian batsmen apart from Mayank Agarwal stood for the cause.

As many as eight batsmen in the team registered single-digit scores thus handing the victory to Australia A. Mayank Agarwal continued his glorious form who scored 80 to his name before walking back as the last wicket.

Jon Holland has been the pick of the bowlers for Australia A. He rattled six wickets to snatch the victory from Indians’ pocket. All in all, it was a see-saw game that landed on Australia’s side in the end.

Brief Scores of Australia A vs India A 1st Unofficial test:

1st Innings:

Australia A – 243-all out (Khawaja 127, Siraj 8/59)

India A – 274-all out (Ankit Bawne 91, Michael Neser 4/61)

2nd Innings:

Australia A – 292-all out (Head 87, Siraj 3/77)

India A – 163-all out (Mayank Agarwal – 80, Holland 6/81)

Match Result – Australia A won by 98 runs facing India A in the 1st Unofficial Test at Bangalore.