Australia A v India A: Test top order replacement debate rages on after no big scores, wickets continue to tumble

Just when it looked as though the Australia A vs India A tour match in Mackay might come to a swift end, a big partnership has breathed new life into the matchup – and, potentially, a sequel to the disastrous first innings bat-off.

Young all-rounder Cooper Connolly believes the game between Australia and India’s ‘A’ teams is “evenly poised” despite an impressive Indian fightback.

The West Australian notched 37 with the willow after being not out overnight before being tossed the ball late on day two but bowled without success across his three overs, conceding 25 runs.

“We had a nice lead coming into the day to have a crack at them, but I think with two days of cricket still to go the game is evenly poised,” he said.

“A couple of breakthroughs early on tomorrow and we could open the game right up.”

Cooper Connolly bats for Australia A. Picture: Getty Images

Connolly, who has been named to the Australian squad for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, said while he would’ve liked to get a few more runs on the board he was pleased with the hit out in general.

“My natural game is to try and look to score, that’s how I kept it,” he said.

“I would have been nice to stick around a little bit longer with ‘Nath’ (McSweeney) but there’s plenty of cricket to go.

“You always want to put your best foot forward when you’re name as a part of these squads, but I can only control what I can control. I’m also trying to enjoy it and having fun out there

“I think we just need a bit more consistency, we’ve been good for patches of the game but if we can be good for the full day then we can take those wickets.

“It’s a good cricket wicket, there’s value for your shots but if you get the ball in the right areas you can take wickets.”

STUMPS: Just when it looked as though the Australia A vs India A tour match in Mackay might come to a swift end, a big partnership has breathed new life into the matchup.

A monster partnership between Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan has seen India not only reel in their 88-run first innings deficit, but push their lead past three figures by stumps.

It sets up a very intriguing next couple of days for the Australian batting line-up, as a target of 200-plus would give Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Nathan McSweeney another clear opportunity to prove themselves to selectors.

Cameron Bancroft drops a catch. Picture: Getty Images

The day started with Cooper Connolly (37) looking to press the issue for the Aussies, before a mistimed drive saw him caught at midwicket.

McSweeney would’ve been hoping to carry on well past the 50-run mark in the morning session, but his knock was cut short by a sharp catch in the gully for a well-made 39.

From there it was Todd Murphy who led the charge in the Australian tail end, notching up a critical 33 to get his side to 195 all out.

The Indian innings looked headed for another collapse when skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was caught behind cheaply off the bowling of Fergus O’Neill.

And while Jordan Buckingham wasn’t able to get in the wickets with the ball, he relied on his fielding to earn a direct hit run out which sent Abhimanyu Easwaran packing for 12, with India sitting at 2-30 inside 10 overs.

Sai Sudharsan finished the day unbeaten on 96. Picture: Getty Images

Enter Padikkal and Sudharsan, as the first and second-drop pair strode to the crease and looked thoroughly unperturbed throughout their partnership.

Backed by a solid defensive wall but more than capable of putting away the bad balls, the pair kept the Indian score ticking on at better than three runs an over as the partnership extended past 100 runs and both batters moved well past the half-century milestone.

Sudharsan will resume his innings not out on 96, chasing a maiden first-class century.

6PM: Australia’s second-choice off-spinner Todd Murphy has produced one of the more hilarious moments you’ll see in a game of cricket, as he sent the ball flying to the square leg umpire during his run-up.

The Victorian was in the midst of his 17th over, when he went in to bowl to Sai Sudharsan before mishandling the ball and sending it flying several metres in the wrong direction.

It summed up a tough day in the field for the Aussies as after claiming two early scalps they have conceded a monster third-wicket partnership to hand control of the game back to India.

This is the funniest ball you will ever see from Todd Murphy 😂💀

📺 Watch every ball of #AusAvIndA LIVE on Kayo: https://t.co/Gu7xbwNSR7pic.twitter.com/RFbX1qIfi0

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) November 1, 2024

5PM: Devdutt Padikkal has certainly made a name for himself on Australian soil so far, as after top scoring in India A’s disappointing first innings, he has capitalised on a positive start this time around to post a second-innings half century.

As the partnership between him and fellow 50-plus scorer Sai Sudharsan cruises past three-figures, all of a sudden Australia A skipper Nathan McSweeney will have some thinking to do as the Aussies try to bowl the visitors out.

Devdutt Padikkal (above) and Sai Sudharsan have fought back well for India A. Picture: Getty Images

4.30PM: Sai Sudharsan has been among the two clear-cut best batters for India A in this match, and he’s been rewarded with the first half century of the A series.

Scoring at just better than 50 runs per 100 balls, it’s been a measured yet also effective innings as he’s navigated a tricky Great Barrier Reef Arena wicket.

In his first match on Australian soil, the 23-year-old has certainly put his best foot forward and will now look to press on to a big total.

Sai Sudharsan has notched a half-century for India A. Picture: Getty Images

4PM: India A has mounted an impressive fightback in the middle session on day two of their tour match against Australia A at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena, making it to tea with the score at 2/96.

After bowling the Aussies out for 195 and trailing by 88, it looked as though a repeat of their first innings disappointment would be on the cards as Ruturaj Gaikwad was caught behind cheaply off the bowling of Fergus O’Neill.

Jordan Buckingham wasn’t able to get in the wickets with the ball, instead relying on his fielding to earn a direct hit run out which sent Abhimanyu Easwaran packing for 12, with India sitting at 2-30 inside 10 overs.

However, Sai Sudharsan (42) and Devdutt Padikkal (32) steadied the ship for the visitors, cruising through the next 20 overs to take back the lead and force Australia to bat again.

With two days plus a session of cricket still yet to be played, India will be eager to press on and set the Aussies a huge total.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia will feel plenty of pressure to bring cricket back to Australia Day with a decisive poll falling heavily in favour of professional sport on January 26.

Read that story here.

Devdutt Padikkal has been in fine form for India A. Picture: Getty Images

2PM: It’s Fergus O’Neill’s turn to take the lead for Australia A, as he removes Ruturaj Gaikwad for five thanks to a good catch at second slip from Cameron Bancroft.

The Indian skipper’s torrid match continues, as after he was gone for a golden duck in the first innings he again departs cheaply, this time on the drive and catching the outside edge.

1.10PM: The Aussies have taken a substantial lead early on day two of this four day match, but nonetheless they’re all out for 195, and are 88 runs to the good.

Todd Murphy’s 33 down the order has proven invaluable to the team’s cause, as the bowlers will look to produce a repeat of their efforts on the first half of day one.

Mukesh Kumar was the pick of the bowlers for India A, taking 6-46 from his 18 overs to become the second man to take six wickets in this match.

Todd Murphy provided some rearguard support to the Australian total. Picture: Getty

12PM: AUSSIE TOP-ORDER CONUNDRUM TAKES FRESH TWIST

The wickets are coming thick and fast now at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, with Nathan McSweeney falling to a sharp catch in the gully for a well-made 39.

The skipper looked destined to really stake his claim to that opening in the top order of the Australian side, but has fallen short of pushing the strongest possible case with a half-century.

It follows a disastrous day one performance with the bat from both sides – with 17 wickets falling in the span of three and a half sessions, and the game beginning to move very quickly.

Josh Philippe had a short stay at the crease, with the keeper mistiming a hook shot and the ball ballooning to the fielder at gully.

Philippe seemed to indicate he thought the ball had hit him on the forearm rather than the glove or bat, but nonetheless he departs for 4.

Nathan McSweeney failed to cash in with a half-century on Friday. Picture: Getty

And earlier, Cooper Connolly was unable to capitalise on a very positive start to the day, with a miscued drive falling straight into the waiting hands of Manav Suthar at short midwicket.

He finished on 37 after getting the Aussies off to an aggressive start to day two as they passed India’s first innings total of 107.

Test selectors will have more questions than answers, with all three of their top order choices on Thursday failing in their first innings in Mackay.

Both Sam Konstas and Cameron Bancroft departed for ducks, while Harris was dropped on 8 but departed shortly after on 17.

Beau Webster impressed at number five for the Aussies with a confident 33, before he was also sent packing in the final session.

Originally published as Australia A v India A: Test top order replacement debate rages on after no big scores, wickets continue to tumble