Cricket Australia XI vs India 2018 : Match Report
Dec 1, 2018 at 1:28 PM
Team India openers hinted some form as the four-day practice game against Cricket Australia (CA) XI at the Sydney Cricket Ground ended in a draw.
Meanwhile, India received a massive on day three as an ankle injury ruled young opener Prithvi Shaw out from the first Test. And with both Murali Vijay and KL Rahul out of form, the visitors were in deep waters ahead of the opening Test. However, Rahul and Vijay both got runs behind their back in the second innings much to the relief of the team management.
Trailing by 186 runs, Rahul and Vijay dominated a relatively weak bowling attack to add 109 runs for the first wicket. Rahul was a bit scratchy in the initial stages of his innings but soon picked up to struck eight fours and one six to bring his half-century. In addition to, India receievd another boost as Vijay touched the three-figure mark in style.
Murali Vijay crossed the 50-run mark in 91 deliveries but accelerated to score the next fifty off just 27 deliveries to complete his century. Vijay’s knock included 16 boundaries and five towering sixes as he walked back to the hut. This will give the Tamil Nadu batsman the much-needed boost ahead of the vital encounter.
However, the bowlers had a tough time as they found it difficult to pick wickets. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers bagging three wickets while Ravichandran Ashwin returned with two. Virat Kohli & Co will have to work on this front before they take the field at the Adelaide.
The first of the four-match Border Gavaskar Test series between India and Australia commences from December 6.
Brief Scores:
India: 358-10, Prithvi Shaw 66, Aaron Hardie: 4-50.
Cricket Australia XI: 544-10, Harry Nielsen 100.
India: 211-2, Murali Vijay 129 (132)
Match Drawn.