Australia warm up in style, thrash BP XI by 103 runs

Chennai, September 12 

Australia warmed up for the limited-overs series against India in style by crushing Board President’s (BP) XI by 103 runs in the lone practice match here today. Marcus Stoinis hammered a 60-ball 76 to build on half-centuries by Travis Head (65), David Warner (64) and captain Steve Smith (55) to power the visitors to a formidable 347/7 after electing to bat.

Young all-rounder Washington Sundar impressed with the ball for India, picking up 2/23 in his eight overs. For Australia, left-arm spinner Ashton Agar returned impressive figures of 4/44 as the visitors bowled out BP XI for 244 in 48.2 overs. The home team, consisting mostly of rookies, was never in the hunt despite a 79-run partnership for the second wicket between opener Shreevats Goswami (43) and Mayank Agarwal (42).  The duo, however, struggled to force the pace against some accurate bowling from the Australians, taking 15 overs to put on 79 runs even as the required run-rate kept climbing.

The hosts floundered after Agarwal’s exit as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Goswami followed soon, and so did Nitish Rana, who had a good IPL season for Mumbai Indians. Shivam Chaudhary, skipper Gurkeerat Mann, Govind Poddar and Sundar were dismissed in the space of 18 runs as Australia took control of the game.  

Earlier, the Australian batsmen enjoyed a good hit-out with Stoinis’ aggressive knock providing the impetus to the innings after the team appeared to stutter slightly following a superb century partnership between Warner and Smith, who made half-centuries. Coming in at No. 6, Stoinis hit some big shots off the spinners. He was involved in a quick 88-run stand with Head, who made 65. He also put on 85 runs with Matthew Wade, who smashed 45 off 24 balls, slamming four sixes in the process.  — PTI

Brief scores:  Australians 347/7 (Stoinis 76, Head 65, Washington 2/23); Indian Board President’s XI: 244 (Goswami 43, Agarwal 42, Agar 4/44)

India’s batting poses big threat: Stoinis      

India’s batting line-up poses a “big threat” and Australia need to score huge runs to counter the hosts in the five-match ODI series, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis said today. “I think we have to score a lot of runs in this series. They (India) are batting really well. I think heavy runs, 350 it will be for sure,” he said when asked if scores over 300 would be the norm in the upcoming series. Asked who he considers a major threat in the India team, Stoinis replied: “All of them are a big threat. Every single one of them is a great player, very good players.” The Australian all-rounder said playing in the IPL and having knowledge of the conditions helped him perform in the practice match. “Obviously, being exposed to conditions helped. Also, working with (Sridharan) Sriram has been good. Sriram and I get on well together. We were in Delhi together during my first IPL and it is good for me,” he said. PTI

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