India gain upperhand, Aussies struggle at 113-8

Bangalore, Sep 4(UNI) Australia 'A' were facing the threat of follow-on after scoring 113 runs losing eight wickets at the end of the second day against India-A in the three-day match at the Chinnaswamy stadium here today.

Earlier, India 'A' resuming at the overnight score of 180 for four were restricted to 284 as Mohammed Kaif made 94 and Piyush Chawla made a quickfire 66 runs.

The overnight batsman Virat Kohli added only one run to his previous score of 48 after edging to Simon Katich off Douglas in the very first over of the second day.

For the hosts another not out batsman Mohammed Kaif succeeded in gaining the attention of the Indian selectors scoring 94 runs (15 fours and a six) while leg spinner Piyush Chawla chipped in with 66 runs (10 fours and one six).

Kaif who was nearing his hundred fell short by six runs when he edged D Bollinger to Marcus North. While Chawla put the Australian bowlers to sword as wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end.

However, the visitors started their reply disastrously when they lost two wickets for just three runs as opener Phillip Loel Hughes fell to Dhaval Kulkarni for one run. Vice Captain Adman Charles Vogues who joined his skipper Katich also did not last long and returned to the pavilion without making any score clean bowled by S R Tyagi with the score reading only 7.

The visitors struggled even more when spin duo Piyush and Mohnish Parmar were introduced. Wickets fell at regular intervals. Only Marcus James North made 41.Only George John Bailey (37 not out) negotiated Indian spinners well.

Australia 'A' still require another 21 runs to avoid follow-on the last day tomorrow.

For the hosts, young off-spinner Parmar took three wickets giving away 37 runs. Piyush Chawla claimed two wickets for 36 runs.

The second day's play also started with a delay of over two hours as the outfield was damp due to overnight rain. Only 75 overs were bowled on the second day after play was extended for more than one hour in the evening.

Brief Scores: India-overnight 180 for 4- 284 (Mohammed Kaif 94, Virat Kohli 49, Piyush Chawla 66 and Robin Uthappa 22, Douglas Bollinger 4- 59, Mcgain 3-51).

Australia 'A': 113 for 8 (Marcus James North 41, George John Bailey 37 not out).

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