After early hiccups, teenage batter Sam Konstas guided Australia A to victory with an unbeaten half-century during day three of the second unofficial Test against India A in Melbourne.
Chasing 168 in the fourth innings, Australia A were in a spot of bother when Prasidh Krishna struck twice in two balls to send Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft packing for a duck. The quick wickets brought in Konstas at No.4. The 19-year-old prodigy, who is in contention for an opening spot in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar trophy for Australia, ensured he made the opportunity count. Konstas steadied the ship in a 46-run stand with captain Nathan McSweeney before the latter departed for 25 off 69 balls, with Mukesh Kumar being the wicket-taker.
All-rounder Tanush Kotian soon removed Oliver Davies for a 22-ball 21, reducing Australia to 73-4. Having lost the first match by seven wickets, India would have sensed some chance to level the series. However, in a 96-run partnership, Konstas and Beau Webster took Australia home without further damage. Webster, who helped his side chase 225 in the first match with 61*, remained unbeaten on 46, while Konstas finished on 73 not out off 128 balls, including seven fours and a six.
With his destructive knock against South Africa in Durban, Sanju Samson became only the fourth player to score a century in consecutive men's T20Is 🔥
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 8, 2024
Who are the other three? ➡️ https://t.co/ybgiGOjBtq#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/gMSzKsAihs
Marcus Harris, one of Konstas’ competitors for the opening spot, impressed with a 138-ball 74 in the first innings, while Cameron Bancroft, the other one, scored only three and a duck.
Despite the loss, there were few bright spots for the tourists. Dhruv Jurel’s two fifties in a row gave them a potential batting choice in the Perth Test, while Prasidh Krishna, part of India’s Test squad for the series impressed with the bowl, picking up 4-50 and 2-37.
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