Indian batsmen failed to hold their nerves during slog overs as they lost to Australia A by seven runs in an exciting opening encounter of the Tri-Series tournament between ‘A’ teams here.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s magnificent unbeaten 145 off 99 balls helped Australia score a stiff 298 for eight as Cheteshwar Pujara decided to field after winning the toss.
In reply, India were restricted to 291 for eight despite half-centuries from opener Rohit Sharma (66), Suresh Raina (83) and Ambati Rayudu (70). Australia got four points from the match and took their tally to eight points from two matches.
Pacers Nathan Coultier-Nile (3/37 in 10 overs) did a brilliant job at the death as he got two wickets in the 49th over which was a maiden. India were well within sniffing distance of winning the match as they required 16 from last two overs with in-form Rayudu at the crease.
Rayudu who hit five fours and two sixes in his 56-ball knock was dismissed by Coultier-Nile off the first delivery of the 49th over.
The burly Stuart Binny (0) wasted three crucial balls before he became Coultier-Nile’s second victim of that over. With 16 to get off the last over, it was too much to ask from Mohammed Shami and Siddharth Kaul as they managed only eight runs.
Earlier Maxwell’s late blitzkrieg that contained 18 fours and six sixes helped Australia A post a healthy 298 for eight from 152 for eight. Maxwell shared an undefeated 146 run partnership for the ninth wicket with Josh Hazlewood (21). Rohit Sharma played a handful innings along with Ambati Rayudu.
Brief Scores: Australia A 298/8 in 50 overs (Glenn Maxwell 145 no, Nic Maddinson 52)
India A 291/8 (Suresh Raina 83, Ambati Rayudu 70, Rohit Sharma 66, Nathan Coultier-Nile 3/37). Australia A won by 7 runs.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s magnificent unbeaten 145 off 99 balls helped Australia score a stiff 298 for eight as Cheteshwar Pujara decided to field after winning the toss.
In reply, India were restricted to 291 for eight despite half-centuries from opener Rohit Sharma (66), Suresh Raina (83) and Ambati Rayudu (70). Australia got four points from the match and took their tally to eight points from two matches.
Pacers Nathan Coultier-Nile (3/37 in 10 overs) did a brilliant job at the death as he got two wickets in the 49th over which was a maiden. India were well within sniffing distance of winning the match as they required 16 from last two overs with in-form Rayudu at the crease.
Rayudu who hit five fours and two sixes in his 56-ball knock was dismissed by Coultier-Nile off the first delivery of the 49th over.
The burly Stuart Binny (0) wasted three crucial balls before he became Coultier-Nile’s second victim of that over. With 16 to get off the last over, it was too much to ask from Mohammed Shami and Siddharth Kaul as they managed only eight runs.
Earlier Maxwell’s late blitzkrieg that contained 18 fours and six sixes helped Australia A post a healthy 298 for eight from 152 for eight. Maxwell shared an undefeated 146 run partnership for the ninth wicket with Josh Hazlewood (21). Rohit Sharma played a handful innings along with Ambati Rayudu.
Brief Scores: Australia A 298/8 in 50 overs (Glenn Maxwell 145 no, Nic Maddinson 52)
India A 291/8 (Suresh Raina 83, Ambati Rayudu 70, Rohit Sharma 66, Nathan Coultier-Nile 3/37). Australia A won by 7 runs.