Test hopefuls falter as spin duo shines in Australia A tour opener

Australia A's batters failed in their first audition to impress Test selectors as the tourists were bowled out for 171 on day two of their first four-day game against India A in Puducherry.

Led by wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra’s 113, India A posted 334 in their first innings before no Australia A batter managed to reach fifty in reply.

South Australian right-hander Jason Sangha top scored for the visitors with 46, while opener Sam Konstas was the only other member of the top five to reach double figures with 25.

It was a disappointing day for Test aspirants Campbell Kellaway, who made 2, and Nathan McSweeney, who fell for a 17-ball duck among the top-order carnage that left Australia A reeling at 4-40.

Skipper Peter Handscomb managed just 8 before gloveman Josh Philippe and all-rounder Liam Scott pitched in to share 45 and 41-run stands with Sangha respectively.

Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani was the chief destroyer for India A with four wickets, dismissing Handscomb, having Sangha caught at point reverse sweeping, and finding Scott’s outside edge.

In India A’s innings, seven wickets fell to Australia A’s off-spinning duo of Corey Rocchiccioli and Todd Murphy, who claimed 4-95 and 3-77 respectively to stake their claim for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January.

Rocchiccioli, Murphy, and seamers Brendan Doggett and Fergus O’Neill will have the chance to bring Australia A back into the contest when play resumes on day three.