Australia A v India A: Konstas, Bancroft and Harris fall cheaply in Test bat-off disaster

The three key contenders to open Australia’s batting order in the upcoming Test series against India have failed to set the world on fire in Mackay, falling cheaply in a horror show against India A.

4.15PM: HARRIS GONE, CONTENDERS FAIL

Three key contenders to open Australia’s batting order in the upcoming Test series against India have failed to set the world on fire in Mackay.

He was given a life, but Marcus Harris failed to cash in for Australia A in their four-day match against India A.

Harris was dropped at third slip on 8, but moments later found himself wandering back to the sideline as he wafted at a ball short and outside off stump, caught at second slip for 17.

It’s a dismissal which will prompt more headaches for the Aussie selectors.

Harris was the last man standing after Sam Konstas and Cameron Bancroft failed in the first innings, departing without troubling the scorers.

With Nathan McSweeney throwing his hat in the ring to take on the job alongside Usman Khawaja, he’ll be looking to capitalise across the remainder of the innings.

McSweeney is the dark horse, and remains at the crease alongside Beau Webster, who last week made headlines for his role in Western Australia’s horror capitulation, when they lost eight wickets for just one run.

4PM: HARRIS SURVIVES CHANCE

Marcus Harris has narrowly avoided joining his teammates Sam Konstas and Cameron Bancroft in the sheds as the Indians dropped regulation catch at third slip.

The highly anticipated bat off hasn’t got off to the start Australian fans would have been hoping for, with both Konstas and Bancroft departing for ducks.

And while Harris looked more comfortable at the crease as he moved to eight, his edge off a Mukesh Kumar delivery will leave selectors to continue to scratch their heads as they search for David Warner’s replacement.

As Australia A works their way to 2-26 after 10 overs, let’s revisit Brendan Doggett’s superb six-wicket haul to tear through India A’s lineup, and give his faint Test selection hopes a sizable boost.

3.30PM: BANCROFT JOINS KONSTAS IN THE SHEDS

Cameron Bancroft has followed Sam Konstas into the sheds for a duck after a controversial decision at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena.

Bancroft was adjudged caught down the leg side off the bowling of Prasidh Krishna, with replays showing the ball flicked his thigh pad.

With no DRS available, Bancroft was forced to leave the field despondent, following in the footsteps of fellow non-starter Konstas who was also caught behind off the third ball of the innings.

Their dismissals open the door for Marcus Harris and Nathan McSweeney to cash in and stake their claim to a spot at the top of the Australian batting order.

3.15PM: KONSTAS’ TEST HOPES ROCKED BY DUCK

Sam Konstas’ hopes of a Test debut next month have nosedived after being dismissed in the opening over of the Australia A ‘bat off’ in Mackay.

Konstas has had a brilliant start to the Sheffield Shield season with back-to-back hundreds for NSW which pushed him to the forefront of Test opener considerations.

But the batting prodigy was caught behind off the bowling of Mukesh Kumar on the third ball of Australia A’s innings.

Konstas’ failure handed a huge opportunity to Cameron Bancroft, who was listed at No.3, and Marcus Harris - who last played a Test match in January, 2022.

Sam Konstas of Australia A leaves the field after being dismissed. Picture: Getty

Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney is the other batter in contention to partner Usman Khawaja at Optus Stadium in the opening Test of the sumer.

Bancroft was given a reprieve in the second over of the innings when seamer Prasidh Krishna was convinced the Aussie batter had edged behind.

3.00PM: DOGGETT DEMOLISHES INDIA A MIDDLE ORDER

In a tour match where Test selection is the potential prize for Australia’s star batsman, a bowler has stolen the early plaudits with Brendan Doggett stepping up for Australia A against India A with stunning figures of 6-15.

The 30-year-old fast bowler from Rockhampton and Toowoomba, who was a late inclusion into the side in the absence of Scott Boland, ripped through India’s middle order as the tourists lost 6-15 on a bouncy wicket at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena to be all out for 107.

Aussie skipper Nathan McSweeney’s decision to send India in to bat paid immediate dividends as Jordan Buckingham picked up two early wickets – including one with his first ball of the match – to have India reduced to 2-17.

And while the Indians kept the pressure on initially via Devdutt Padikkal (36) and Sai Sudharsan (21), soon Doggett came to the fore to have three Indian batsmen caught behind.

Brendan Doggett ripped through India A’s middle order in Mackay. Picture: Getty

Nitish Kumar Reddy then sent a pull shot high and into the waiting hands of Sam Konstas at square leg, before Doggett had trapped Manav Suthar in front LBW for 1 to secure his five-wicket haul, with Prasidh Krishna bowled for a duck shortly after.

It was a busy day for Aussie wicketkeeper Josh Philippe as well, as he secured five catches behind the stumps, including a screamer down leg side for Buckingham’s first scalp.

India was able to cross the three-figure mark before Fergus O’Neill had Navdeep Saini caught in the gully for a well-fought 23.

Australian fans will now eagerly await the highly anticipated ‘bat off’ between Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Nathan McSweeney who will be competing to join Usman Khawaja at the top of the Australian batting order.

1PM: BOWLERS STEAL SHOW AS AUSSIE TEST ‘BAT OFF’ DELAYED

Australia’s Test contenders have been left to wait for their audition after Australia A skipper Nathan McSweeney opted to bowl first in Mackay.

McSweeney, one of the players in the mix to open the batting with Usman Khawaja against India, won the toss but gave his bowlers first use at Greater Barrier Reef Arena.

But McSweeney, Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft might not have to wait long for their chance with India reeling at 4-76 at lunch.

Konstas has been named to open the batting with Harris.

Jordan Buckingham celebrates a wicket with his Australia A teammates. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Bancroft was listed to come in at No. 3 on the Australia A team sheet.

A wicket moments before lunch to Todd Murphy handed Australia A the advantage on day one.

The Aussies’ presumptive second-choice spinner behind Nathan Lyon forced an error from Baba Indrajith, who was caught at bat pad by Cameron Bancroft.

McSweeney’s decision paid immediate dividends when paceman Jordan Buckingham struck with his first ball of the match in the game’s second over, strangling Indian skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad down the leg side and drawing a sharp catch from Josh Philippe behind the stumps.

The wicketkeeper would be called into action twice more in the first session, with Buckingham and Brendan Doggett able to catch the outside edge of Abhimanyu Easwaran (7) and Sai Sudharsan (21).

And while India fought back through Devdutt Padikkal (35 not out), Australia assumed the box seat at the long break at 4-76.

Originally published as Australia A v India A: Konstas, Bancroft and Harris fall cheaply in Test bat-off disaster