India A bowlers frittered away the initial advantage as host Australia A's middle-order put up a collective performance to reach a healthy 319 for five here on the second day of the second four-day fixture in the Quadrangular series.
After dismissing India A for overnight score of 169, Australia A was reduced to 11 for 2 within the first five overs but Hilton Cartwright batted responsibly to remain unbeaten on 99 as the home team cruised to a significant 150-run lead.
The 24-year-old right-hander Cartwright hit 14 boundaries and a six in 153 balls. He added 152 runs in 43.2 overs for the fourth wicket with Beau Webster (79) to take Australia A to a position of dominance.
Nic Maddinson (81) also looked good for a three-figure score before he was dismissed. Seamers Shardul Thakur (3 for 71) and Hardik Pandya (1 for 39) along with off-spinner Jayant Yadav (1 for 80) shared the spoils.
Shardul begins well
Starting the day at 169 for 9, India A's innings lasted a mere four deliveries before Pandya (79) edged one off Kane Richardson (4 for 37) to Sam Whiteman behind the stumps. Australia A, then, started on a disastrous note as Travis Dean (0) and Joe Burns (3) were removed by Shardul in quick succession.
Maddinson was then joined by Kurtis Patterson (25) as the duo added 92 runs for the third wicket in just over 20 overs. Left-handed Maddinson hit 12 boundaries and two sixes off 114 balls. The two sixes came off Jayant and Shardul's deliveries. In fact, he attacked Shardul, hitting him for boundaries on both sides of the wicket.
Patterson was out on a team score of 103, edging one off Pandya to Naman Ojha behind stumps. Jayant Yadav removed Maddinson soon after but Cartwright-Webster duo took the attack back to the opposition camp. Webster dropped anchor, facing 186 balls hitting nine fours in the process.
Varun Aaron was the most erratic bowler for India A, going for 59 in 17 overs with seven no-balls and a wide.
Brief Scores:
India A 169 in 66.4 overs (Hardik Pandya 79, Kane Richardson 4/37)
Australia A 319/5 (Hilton Cartwright 99, Beau Webster 79, Nic Maddinson 81, Shardul Thakur 3/71).
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