New Delhi: The fourth Day of the first unofficial Test between Australia A and India A at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay started with controversy when the on-field changed the ball used by the Men in Blue after ball-tampering accusations.
Australia A needed just 86 runs to win and shortly after the play began, India A players questioned umpire Shawn Craig about the ball handed to start the day’s play. “Scratch it, we change the ball…no more discussion, let’s play” Craig was overheard saying on the stump microphone.
Indian players attempted to argue with the on-field umpire, and Craig said “No more discussion please, let’s play. This is not a discussion anymore”. The players again asked if they had to continue playing with the freshly handed ball, and the umpire said “You’re playing with that ball”.
During the discussion, Indian wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan was booked for showing dissent toward the on-field umpire’s decision. He said that it was a really stupid decision to which the umpire replied that you’ll be on report for dissent.
“So we are going to play with this ball…that’s a very stupid decision” Ishan said. “Excuse me, you’ll be on report for dissent. That’s inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball” Craig replied.
Australia A beat India A by 7 wickets
Australia A defeated India A in the first unofficial Test at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. The Aussies needed 225 runs to win the match and a 141-run partnership between skipper Nathan McSweeney and Beau Webster helped Australia A to beat India A 7 wickets.
McSweeney scored an unbeaten 88 runs off 178 balls while Webster also scored an unbeaten 61 runs off 117 balls. Earlier, India A were bundled out for just 107 runs in the first innings. Brendon Doggett picked up 6 wickets while Jordan Buckingham also took two wickets.
Indian bowlers delivered a sensational performance as Australia A were bowled out for 195 runs. Mukesh Kumar took 6 wickets and Prasidh Krishna also picked up 3 wickets. In the second innings, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal stitched a crucial 196-run partnership to put the hosts under pressure. Sudharsan scored 103 runs off 200 balls while Padikkal also scored 88 runs off 199 balls.
Australia A lost both the openers cheaply while chasing the target but McSweeney and Webster’s partnership helped the Aussies to win the first unofficial Test comfortably.
Australia A defeated India A by 7 wickets in the first unofficial Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
