India A spinners impress against Australians

Chennai, Feb 18 (IANS) Australian batsmen had a tough time facing India A spinners Jalaj Saxena and Rakesh Dhurv as the three-day practice cricket match ended in a dull draw at the Guru Nanak College Ground here Monday.

Resuming the day at 131/4, the visitors were first bowled out for 235 in response to India A’s 451 after which they were forced to follow on. The Australians ended the third and final day’s play at 195/3.

In the morning, Matthew Wade (44) and Moises Henriques (33) tried to forge a partnership for the fifth wicket but after the latter got out with the scoreboard reading 176, the spinners ripped through the lower order and bowled out the opposition in no time.

Left arm orthodox bowler Dhurv (5/51) and Madhya Pradesh off spinner Saxena (4/61) shared all the wickets except one run out, that of Peter Siddle (2).

The Australian batsmen got their act together in the second innings. Skipper Shane Watson (60) scored his second fifty of the match after an impressive 84 in the first innings.

Opener Ed Cowan also made a splendid 40 as he with Watson put together another 100-run partnership for the opening wicket. Dhurv and Saxena took a wicket each in the second innings.

At the close of play, Usman Khawaja and Wade were batting at 30 and 19, respectively.

This was the final practice match before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which starts here at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium Friday.

IANS 2013-02-18 18:20:02