Harris, bowlers put Australia A in command as India A implode once again

Marcus Harris' gritty 74 laid the platform for Australia A's vital 62-run lead against India A on rain-affected Day 2 of the in the second unofficial Test at the MCG. Prasidh Krishna picked a four-fer, triggering a mini collapse just as the hosts inched closer to parity, but a half-century stand for the last wicket between Corey Rocchiccioli and Nathan McAndrew gave them control. India A managed to wipe out the deficit and go to stumps with a slender 11-run lead, albeit at the cost of their top-five wickets.

Resuming the day at 53 for 2, Australia A lost Sam Konstas as Khaleel Ahmed struck on the final ball of his first over of the morning. Krishna, too, returned into the attack for the first time on Day 2 and made an impact second ball when he had Oliver Davies caught on 13 by Mukesh Kumar, who then in turn picked the third wicket for the visitors shortly before rain halted play. The teams took lunch meanwhile as the hosts fumbled to 89 for 5.

After a lengthy break, Harris found company in Jimmy Peirson and the sixth-wicket pair frustrated the Indians for the next 17 overs, adding a 63-run stand in the process. Krishna put an end to that stubborn partnership, ending Peirson's knock on 30. The fast-bowler followed it up soon after by sending back Harris for 74 and Scott Boland first ball, in successive deliveries, as the home side slipped from a comfortable 152 for 5 to 167 for 8.

There was more frustration in store for the visitors though as the last-wicket pair put on another vital stand for a lead that could prove decisive. Rocchiccioli was the aggressor in the partnership, even smacking a six each off Krishna and Tanush Kotian before Mukesh put an end to his enterprising knock on 35 at the stroke of Tea.

On the other side, India continued to falter with the bat. Despite a cautious start, Abhimanyu Easwaran departed in McAndrew's final over of the opening spell and Beau Webster made it a double whammy by striking in his first over to take out Sai Sudharsan cheaply. The collapse continued a short while later as McAndrew returned to send back skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, while KL Rahul endured another failure, bowled by Rocchiccioli for 10 off 44 deliveries.

Webster picked up his second of the day in Devdutt Paddikal, who made just one of 19 balls. Like in India A's first innings, Dhruv Jurel dropped anchor to take India to stumps without any further damage. He is batting on 19* - incidentally the top-score thus far in their second innings as well - with Nitish Reddy for company, on nine.

Brief scores: India A 161 & 73/5 (Dhruv Jurel 19*; Beau Webster 2-14, Nathan Mcandrew 2-22) lead Australia A 223 (Marcus Harris 74, Corey Rocchiccioli 35; Prasidh Krishna 4-50, Mukesh Kumar 3-41) by 11 runs