India vs Australia Practice match: Cricket legend Allan Border has blasted Australia A team after a poor final session performance against India at the practice match in Sydney.
The Indian team amassed on 170 runs for the loss of just one wicket under lights on Saturday, with Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant both hitting centuries — the latter blasting 22 runs off the final six balls.
Border feels that the way the hosts were outplayed on Saturday night was “disgraceful”
“One of the worst, (most) lethargic performances I have seen in the last session of any cricket,” Border said on Fox Cricket ahead of play on day three. “This is Australia A, they are representing Australia, they are young blokes trying to make their way. That fielding performance, bowling performance, captaincy performance – an absolute disgrace. Not up to scratch at all,” he told Fox Sports.
Ind vs Aus Practice Game Highlights before Tea Break of day 3:
India posted a 473 runs target against Alex Carey-led side to win the game after declaring the second innings on their overnight total of 386-4. Marcus Harris and Joe Burns opened the innings but both of them failed to put up a show against the quality Indian bowling line-up. Shami sent both the openers — Harris (5) and Burns (1) — back to the pavilion and gave India an early lead in the first session.
Nic Maddinson came in to bat at number three and got support from Ben McDermott. The duo tried to stitch the innings as they added a brief 14-run stand before Maddinson (14) was removed by Siraj.
Skipper Carey joined McDermott in the middle. The latter played cautiously while Carey added quick runs and built an unbeaten partnership of 64-run for the fourth wicket.
Australia A were at 89/3 in 26 overs after the conclusion of the first session’s play. They still need 384 runs to win the game.