Iyer chips at huge Aussie run-pile

Mumbai, February 18

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Shreyas Iyer stroked his way to an unbeaten half-century in an otherwise unimpressive batting display by India A in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 469/7 declared on the second day of the three-day practice game at the Brabourne Stadium.

Iyer, who has been knocking on the doors of the national team over the past couple of seasons with his attacking batting in domestic cricket, smashed five sixes and seven fours to remain unconquered on 85. At stumps, India A (176/4 in 51 overs) were trailing by 293 runs with Rishabh Pant (3) giving company to Iyer.

Starting his innings with a six over long-on off the first ball he faced from Nathan Lyon, Iyer dominated the bowling, barring Jackson Bird, who was the pick of the Australian bowlers with his pace and movement.

Iyer gave just one chance, off Lyon, soon after reaching his half-century. Overall, he dominated the Aussie spin duo of Lyon — whom he hit for three sixes — and left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe, who was hoisted for two sixes by the 22-year-old.

Opener Priyank Panchal made 36 with the help of six fours but was beaten by Bird many a time in his 77-min knock. Ankit Bawne made an attractive but all-too-brief 25 with four hits to the fence while skipper Hardik Pandya got a start before departing late in the day for 19, caught behind off Bird.

For Australia, Lyon picked up two for 72 while Bird returned with figures of two for 15 in 11 overs. Earlier, Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Wade utilised the one-off opportunity to hit individual half-centuries, ahead of the Test series opener. Marsh scored 75 runs with the help of 11 fours and one six, while Wade hit 64 in 89 balls with the help of nine fours. 

I will get a chance to play for India: Iyer 

Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer is confident that one day he will definitely get to play for India. “I don’t think much on that, I try to play and score as many runs as possible. The side is packed (at present), but I know I will definitely get a chance to play for the country,” said the 22-year-old. Iyer said the lofted shots he played against Lyon and O’Keefe were not pre-determined. “I am happy they were not pre-determined shots. It was important to take charge early and spread out the field. It worked out well.” Iyer also revealed that he was sledged by wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and vice-captain David Warner when he was going great guns. “They said ‘this guy does not have defence, he can play only attacking shots’. First it was Wade, and then Warner too joined in. But I am used to this type of sledging, having toured Australia with India A teams in the past.” — PTI 

Mitchell Marsh ready for first Test against India 

Eyeing the fast bowling all-rounder’s slot in the Australia team for the upcoming Test series, Mitchell Marsh enhanced his chances with a solid 75 on the second day of Australia’s warm-up game against India A and said he was ready to play at No. 6 slot. “I probably knew that I had a chance against India due to the all-rounder’s slot. I always knew I was going to be in the mix. If I do play, it’ll probably be at No. 6. Tours like this are exactly why we train hard and get ourselves to the position where we can put up to the rigours of Test cricket, especially here. So yes, I am confident about my body and fitness,” said Marsh.

Brief scores: Australians: 469/7 decl. (S Smith 107, S Marsh 104, M Marsh 75, M Wade 64); India A: 176/4 (S Iyer 85*). 

Weakest Australian team ever to tour India: Harbhajan 

New Delhi: Harbhajan Singh has rated the current Australian team led by Steve Smith as the “weakest ever” in recent times to tour India. “In my opinion, this is the weakest Australian side to tour India. I don't think this team has the wherewithal to cope with a quality Indian side in the Indian conditions. It can again be 4-0 like it happened in 2013,” Harbhajan said. When asked about the reason for his strong observations, Singh, who got a record 32 wickets in the epic 2001 series, said: “That team (2001) had Matthew Hayden, Michael Slater, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh. In this team, if you take Steve Smith and David Warner out, I don't think this batting line-up can offer resistance to Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Both know how to get wickets on the Indian tracks.” The 'Turbanator' termed the England side that was drubbed 4-0 by India, as a better outfit than this Australian side. “I believe the England team that toured India recently were a better batting outfit. They scored 400-plus runs on multiple occasions. It's not going to happen with this Australian side,” said India's third highest wicket-taker.