Joe Burns smashes 14 sixes as Australia A thrash India A by 119 runs

Chennai, Aug 7: India A bowlers struggled against Australia A openers Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja in their tri-series one-day match here today at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Australia A won by 119 runs as the hosts were bowled out for 215 while chasing 335.

Burns smashed 14 sixes and 5 fours on way to a 131-ball 154. Captain Khawaja too hit a century, exactly 100 off 104 deliveries, with the help of 3 sixes and 10 fours.

The opening duo of Burns and Khawaja added 239 runs in 35.5 overs as Australia A posted an impressive 334/4 in their allotted 50 overs.

In reply, barring Kedar Jadhav (50) and captain Unmukt Chand's (52) half centuries, the hosts' batsmen failed. Paceman Gurinder Sandhu (4/28) and leg-spinner Adam Zampa (4/49) shared 8 wickets.

Earlier, Unmukt struggled to contain the Australian batsmen. Chand used 7 bowlers. Dhawal Kulkarni, Sandeep Sharma, Axar Patel and Karun Nair took 1 wicket each.

Leg-spinner Karn Sharma was the most expensive with figures of 0/58 in 5 overs (economy 11.60).

Despite the early onslaught, Indian bowlers managed to pull things back in the final 15 overs. At one stage, the visitors were looking good for a score in excess of 350 with all 10 wickets intact.

In the last 10 overs, wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade hit an unbeaten 34 off 21 (3x4, 1x6) to help Australia cross the 300-mark.

South Africa A are the third team in the tournament. This is the first match for India A while Australia A are playing their second after having defeated South Africa by 9 wickets in the opener.

Scores in brief

Australia A 334/4 in 50 overs (Joe Burns 154, Usman Khawaja 100, Matthew Wade 34 not out, Dhawal Kulkarni 1/70, Sandeep Sharma 1/42, Axar Patel 1/55, Karun Nair 1/40) beat India A 215 all out in 42.3 overs (Unmukt Chand 52, Kedar Jadhav 50, Adam Zampa 4/49, Gurinder Sandhu 4/28)

Next match - India A Vs South Africa A on Sunday (August 9)

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