Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna, Marcus Harris press their case for first India-Australia Test

Australia ‘A’ defeated India ‘A’ by six wickets in the second unofficial Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The win gave Australia ‘A’ 2-0 series win.

More than the result, however, the series was expected to be a precursor to the Australia-India Test series that begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. There were players in both the sides fighting for a berth in their Test squads.

Opening conundrum

Both India and Australia have to pick an opener. While Usman Khawaja is certain to open for Australia, the fight for the second opener’s spot is between Nathan McSweeney and Marcus Harris. McSweeney scored 166 in the two unofficial Tests with a highest of 88 not out. Harris aggregated 127 in two Tests with the 74 in the first innings of second unofficial Test being his top-score. Harris, however, has Test experience and has opened against India previously.

In fact, five of Harris’s 14 Tests are against India, and all are at home.

Barring the choice between the two for the opening slot, the rest of the Australian Test side seems settled and may not be much different from the one that toured New Zealand early this year.

Dhruv Jurel (left) has strengthened his case; the fight in Aussie camp (right picture) is between Nathan McSweeney (left) and Marcus Harris 

India’s search for an opener to accompany Yashasvi Jaiswal, on his first tour of Australia, however, continues unabated since Rohit Sharma is uncertain to play the first Test. All the options in the two unofficial Test matches failed. Neither Abhimanyu Easwaran clicked, nor did KL Rahul which has created chances for Shubman Gill to move up from No. 3 to open the innings.

India do not have Sai Sudharsan in their squad. The batsman scored a century at No. 3 in the first unofficial Test at Mackay. Sudharsan, however, fared miserably in the second Test. So any hopes of him getting a call have probably died.

Middle-order

Australia’s middle-order is more or less settled. Sam Konstas, a 19-year-old batsman, impressed with 73 not out on Saturday as he led Australia A to a six-wicket win after they had lost four wickets for 73 runs. But according to cricket.com.au, he may have to wait for the next season.

India’s Dhuv Jurel, however, pressed his case for playing the first Test at Perth as he aggregated 148 in two innings at an average of 74. He played only one Test. One of Rishabh Pant and him could keep wickets and the other can play solely as a batsman. If Jurel is picked, he will likely play either ahead of Sarfaraz Khan or drafted in if Gill is pushed up to open (in Rohit’s absence) and neither Rahul nor Easwaran is picked.

Bowling

Both Australia’s pace bowlers Michael Neser and Scott Boland played the second unofficial Test at MCG and acquitted themselves well. However, Neser suffered a hamstring injury after taking four wickets in India A’s first innings. Both were part of Australia’s last Test squad that played New Zealand in February.

For India, Prasidh Krishna has made a strong claim to play the first Test after taking 10 wickets across two Tests. He took 4/50 in Australia A’s first innings at MCG and then took 2/37 in Australia A’s second innings.

Nitish Reddy, who can bat and bowl and is expected to work as Hardik Pandya’s replacement, totalled 71 with a highest of 38. He picked one wicket in the two unofficial Tests after bowling 31 overs.

Tags : Dhruv Jurel, India, Australia, MCG, Perth, Prasidh Krishna