Australia A defeat India A by 119 runs

Chennai: Following their comprehensive win against South Africa A in the opener, Australia A drubbed India A by 119 runs to take command and go on top of the standings in the 50-over triangular series at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday.

Opting to bat was the perfect choice for the visitors who, based on a 239-run opening wicket partnership between captain Usman Khawaja (100) and Joe Burns (154), guided themselves to put up a formidable total of 334/4 in 50 overs. In reply, India A succumbed to the ever increasing required run rate and folded up for 215 in 42.3 overs.

Khawaja could not have asked for a better start for his side as he with Burns struck the monumental partnership which gave the Australians a brilliant platform to put on a big score on the board, which they eventually did.

While the left-handed Khawaja hammered three sixes and 10 boundaries, Burns smashed an incredible 14 sixes and five boundaries in his 131-ball innings. Both batsmen had scored half-centuries in their previous match on Wednesday against South Africa A.

Towards the end of the innings, wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade also chipped in with an unbeaten 21-ball 34 which included three fours and a six.

India A did not start their chase well, losing four top order batsmen even before reaching the 100-run mark. Though the hosts maintained a run rate of five runs or more, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals which led to their downfall.

Captain and opener Unmukt Chand scored 52 before being bowled while Kedar Jadhav (50) scored a half-century.

Indian-origin Australia A pacer Gurinder Sandhu (4/28) and leg break bowler Adam Zampa (4/49) both picked up four scalps each to knock out the Indians.

Next, India A will take on South Africa A in Chennai on Sunday.

Brief scores: Australia A 334/4 in 50 overs (Joe Burns 154, Usman Khawaja 100) beat India A 215 all out (Unmukt Chand 52, Kedar Jadhav; Gurinder Sandhu 4/28, Adam Zampa 4/49).