AUS-A vs IND-A: Australia on course for win despite Sai Sudharsan heroics

Australia A is on the verge of winning the first unofficial Test against India-A at stumps on Day 3. Despite Sai Sudharsan's century, a batting collapse meant India-A posted a target of 225 for the hosts to chase.

In Short

• Australia A needs 86 runs to win at stumps on Day 3
• Sudharsan scored 103 and top scored for India-A in the 2nd innings
• Nathan McSweeney leads Australia-A's chase with an unbeaten 47

Australia A have taken a big step to seal the win in the first unofficial Test against India, despite Sai Sudharsan's valiant effort on Day 3. Sudharsan completed a fine hundred on the day but a batting collapse from India-A saw them set a target of 225 runs as the visitors were bundled out for 312 runs.

Australia are currently on 139 for 3 and need just 86 runs to win the match at stumps on Saturday, November 2. Australia-A captain Nathan McSweeney starred with the bat in Mackay on Day 3 as he remained unbeaten on 47, after 36 from Marcus Harris earlier on in the innings.

India would take a 120-run lead on Day 2 after Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal's partnership put the visitors in a strong position. Sudharsan would get to his landmark with a quick single off Todd Murphy early on in the morning. However, the Tamil Nadu batter would fall soon after to Murphy and this started the collapse for India. Padikkal would be the next man to be dismissed as Murphy would get his second wicket of the morning.

Baba Indrajith (6) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (17) failed to make an impact as Ishan Kishan played a lone hand in the lower order with 32 off 58 deliveries. The back-to-back wickets of Kishan and Reddy proved to be the undoing of India A and the innings quickly folded for 312 runs in the end.

Fergus O'Neill picked up 4 wickets in the end while Murphy got 3.

Australia's opening prospects fail

Australia A had a good start before Mukesh Kumar cleaned up Sam Konstas with a brilliant delivery that sent his off-stump for a walk. Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft added 41 runs but the latter would get a beauty from Prasidh Krishna and Sudharsan took the catch.

Harris was able to score 36 before he would nick a delivery from Suthar to Kishan behind the stumps. This meant that Australia's opening prospects for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy all failed to make a significant impact in the match.

McSweeney would then take charge of the chase along with Beau Webster and the duo ensured that Australia A would make the required target below 90 at the end of day's play.

McSweeney would hit 5 boundaries in his 47 off 98 balls while Webster remained unbeaten on 19.