Australia A news: Marcus Harris stays in Test hunt with gritty innings

A two-horse race for one Test spot remains full of questions, as a Tasmanian’s golden run with the ball continued against India A.

If the need arises for an all-rounder to be called into the Australian side against India this summer, it will be nearly impossible to look past Beau Webster.

The lanky Tasmanian stepped up in Michael Neser’s absence to claimtwo more wickets for Australia A to put them in the box seat for a series clean sweep against India A at the MCG.

The vistors went to stumps on the second day at 5-73 with a slender lead of 11 runs.

Barring a late flurry of runs from the Indian tail on Saturday morning, it would mean very little chance for Nathan McSweeney and Marcus Harris to add to their Test claims after the latter climbed firmly back into the conversation with a gritty 74 on Friday.

After McSweeney had started strongly but nicked off for 14 in the final session on Thursday, Harris resumed his innings on 26 and pressed on as wickets tumbled around him including Sam Konstas (3), Ollie Davies (13) and Webster (5).

Marcus Harris drives on his way to a team-high 74 for Australia A against India A at the MCG on Friday. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

He looked on track to add to his impressive record of first-class centuries at the MCG, but dangled his bat at a wide delivery from Prasidh Krishna and was out caught behind to leave the home side 7-167.

Krishna, a tall right-arm quick with two Tests to his name, claimed 4-50 as he emerged as the favourite to take the third seamer position in the Indian side behind Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

With Neser unable to bat after the hamstring injury he suffered on Thursday, Australia A’s innings concluded at 9-223 with a 62-run lead.

The Queensland quick’s absence meant Webster’s role with the ball would be critical in the second innings, and after claiming 3-19 in the first innings, his medium pace delivered the goods again.

Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster has match figures of 5-33 going into the third day of the Australia A vs. India A game. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

Webster had Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal out cheaply, while offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli claimed the big wicket of KL Rahul to reduce the visitors to 4-44. with the visitors reduced to 4-44.

Rahul’s rare appearance for India A ended with scores of 4 and 10, leaving the race wide open for a less experienced players to fill two possible spots in India’s batting order.

Krishna courted controversy during the first session when he approached umpire Gerard Abood to ask about having the ball changed.

It came after keeper Ishan Kishan was warned for dissent and umpire Shawn Craig accused the visitors of “scratching the ball” in the first game in Mackay, but Cricket Australia quickly cleared them of ball tampering.

“(It looks like India is) talking about a bit of potential mud on the ball; making sure it’s OK to get it out of the seam,” former Victorian cricketer Rob Quiney said on Kayo.

“I’m not sure if it’s an aesthetics thing ... Krishna’s not happy, full stop.”