Australia now has a 39-run lead after India A declared their innings 247 of 9 in the first hour of the second day, with skipper Ajinkya Rahane remaining undefeated at 117.
With Mohammed shami and Jasprit Bumrah being automatic options, Umesh (18-3-44-3), fighting for third place, certainly looked more penetrating compared to Mohammed Siraj (19-4-71-2) with the new ball.
The ‘Vidarbha Express’ eliminated the two rival test team starters Will Pucovski (1) and Joe Burns (4) in their third and fourth over with the new ball to make initial advances.
End of Day 2: Australia A 286/8 on stumps after Indians declared on 247/9. 3️⃣ windows for Umesh Yadav and 2️⃣… https://t.co/LO94j0WHmA
– BCCI (@BCCI) 1607324701000
Ashwin (19-2-58-2) didn’t hurt his tryout chances either, as he reminded veterans of Australian 80’s Greg Mathews (hero of ‘Madras’ tied try) bowling. with his cap on.
Only Mathews was shielding himself from the Chennai heat, while Ashwin was reluctant to give it to his fieldmates.
For Australia A, the behemoth and all-rounder Green continued his rich streak of Sheffield Shield form with an undefeated 114 out of 173 who had 10 fours and a six.
He showed good temper against the Indian attack by adding 104 runs for the sixth wicket with his national patron Tim Paine (44) after being reduced to 98 for 5.
Another 49 for the eighth wicket with paceman Michael Neser (33) ensured Australia A recovered well from a batting collapse.
India got off to a good start with the new ball, as Umesh kept a good channel off the stump while Pucovski, trying to cut a long delivery, gave Shubman Gill a simple catch on point.
Burns approached one who wandered a bit to goalkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, behind the stumps.
Skipper Travis Head (18) and Marcus Harris (35) then added 55 runs to stabilize innings before Siraj came on the scene, cleaning out Australia’s skipper A at 21.
Siraj, who is also trying to seal a spot in Trials, pissed off Harris (35) with a semi-new ball before Ashwin ended his stint with Rahane by breaking one on the slip cord.
The seasoned off-spinner was back in action at the 31st when he caught Nic Maddinson (23) with a delivery that stayed straight.
Green and Tim Paine then wrote another recovery act to bring Australia A to 186 for 5 at tea.
After the break, Umesh riddled Paine with gorillas and one hit him in the helmet. The strategy worked when Paine took out one only to be brilliantly captured by Prithvi Shaw on the back square leg, finishing his 104 run position.
Siraj got his second scalp at 67, eliminating James Pattinson (3), but Michael Neser (33) frustrated India A before falling out in 80th.
Green, who fell at 24 by Hanuma Vihari on the second slip and then on Wriddhiman Saha’s 78, he completed his 100th with a four in the 81st.
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