India A clawed back into contention on Day 3 of the 2nd Unofficial Test against Australia A at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, with Mohammed Siraj delivering a crucial early blow by dismissing Cooper Connolly for just 1. The visitors, who began the day with a commanding lead, were rocked by a top-order collapse before captain Nathan McSweeney and Josh Philippe launched a spirited counterattack to stabilize the innings.
Australia A, resuming with a 226-run lead after bowling out India A for 194 in response to their first-innings 420, were expected to consolidate their position. However, Siraj’s fiery spell in the morning session rattled the top order, reducing the visitors to 17/4 in just 8.1 overs.
India A vs Australia A – Match Summary (Day 3)
| Team | 1st Innings Score | 2nd Innings Score (Day 3) | Lead / Trail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia A | 420 all out | 127/5 (33 overs) | Lead by 353 |
| India A | 194 all out | Yet to bat | — |
Siraj’s dismissal of Connolly was a textbook delivery—full, fast, and swinging in late to beat the bat and crash into the stumps. The breakthrough came just when Australia A were trying to rebuild after losing three quick wickets the previous evening.
India A’s bowlers, led by Siraj and supported by Manav Suthar and Yash Thakur, maintained pressure throughout the morning. Suthar removed Josh Philippe for a brisk 50 off 48 balls, ending a dangerous partnership that had begun to tilt momentum back in Australia’s favour.
Key Moments – Day 3 Highlights
| Over | Bowler | Wicket Taken | Score Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Mohammed Siraj | Cooper Connolly (1) | AUS-A 17/4 |
| 27.2 | Manav Suthar | Josh Philippe (50) | AUS-A 107/5 |
Nathan McSweeney, who had impressed in the first innings, continued his composed approach, reaching a well-crafted half-century off 98 balls. His partnership with Jack Edwards helped Australia A recover to 127/5 by lunch, extending their lead to 353 runs.
India A’s fielding was sharp, with Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps showing agility and awareness. The bowlers rotated effectively, with Ayush Badoni and Nitish Kumar Reddy also getting spells to test the middle order.
Australia A Batting – 2nd Innings Performance (Day 3)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Philippe | 50 | 48 | 6 | 0 | Caught behind |
| Nathan McSweeney | 58* | 109 | 8 | 0 | Not out |
| Jack Edwards | 7* | 19 | 1 | 0 | Not out |
| Cooper Connolly | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Bowled |
India A’s bowling unit showed resilience despite the massive first-innings deficit. Siraj’s leadership with the ball was evident, and the team’s energy in the field reflected their intent to fight back.
India A Bowling – 2nd Innings (Day 3)
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Siraj | 6 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 3.00 |
| Manav Suthar | 10 | 1 | 35 | 1 | 3.50 |
| Yash Thakur | 5 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 4.40 |
| Ayush Badoni | 3 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7.00 |
With two days remaining, Australia A holds a dominant position, but India A’s fightback has kept the contest alive. The hosts will aim to wrap up the Australian innings quickly and mount a strong batting response to chase down the target or salvage a draw.
Match Context – Series Overview
| Test Match | Venue | Series Status | Result So Far |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Unofficial Test | Bengaluru | Drawn | No result |
| 2nd Unofficial Test | Lucknow (Day 3 ongoing) | Series Decider | In progress |
The unofficial Test series between India A and Australia A is part of a broader initiative to give emerging players international exposure. Performances here could influence selections for upcoming tours and ICC events.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available match reports, live score updates, and verified cricketing sources. It does not constitute official commentary or endorsement. All quotes and statistics are attributed to public figures and institutions as per coverage. The content is intended for editorial and informational purposes only.
