Lucknow– On a rain-affected opening day at the Ekana Stadium, Australia A stamped their authority in the first Unofficial Test against India A, closing on a commanding 337/5 in 73 overs. The star of the day was 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas, who produced a scintillating century (109 off 144 balls) that set the tone for the visitors’ dominance. For India A, it was left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey’s three-wicket burst that provided some much-needed respite after a punishing start.
Morning Washout Delays the Contest
Persistent drizzle and a heavy outfield meant the entire first session was washed out, frustrating players and the sparse but enthusiastic crowd. The covers remained firmly in place until after lunch, dashing hopes of early seam movement that overcast conditions had promised. Captains Shreyas Iyer and Nathan McSweeney spent the long wait pondering their strategies, and when play finally began, Australia A elected to bat.
The decision, bold at first glance, proved inspired. With much of the moisture gone, the surface flattened out quickly, offering minimal help for India A’s seamers. What could have been a bowler’s paradise turned into a batsman’s dream.
Konstas and Kellaway’s Commanding Stand
The post-lunch session belonged entirely to Australia A’s openers. Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway were untroubled as they added 198 runs for the opening wicket, a partnership that showcased control, patience, and flair.
Konstas, who has been touted as Australia’s next batting prodigy, shrugged off a lean patch in the Caribbean with a sparkling knock. His 109 was a blend of orthodox drives, crisp cuts, and calculated aggression, reminding onlookers of a young Ricky Ponting in both intent and shot selection. Every time India A’s seamers erred in length, Konstas pounced.
At the other end, Kellaway was calm and composed, grinding his way to 88. While not as flamboyant as his partner, he provided solidity and rotated the strike smartly. Together, they took the sting out of India A’s new-ball attack, forcing Shreyas Iyer to turn to his spinners earlier than planned.
By tea, Australia A were cruising at 198 without loss, leaving India A with plenty of questions and few answers.
Post-Tea Fightback from India A
The complexion of the game changed after tea. On the very first ball of the session, Gurnoor Brar found the edge of Kellaway, breaking the 198-run stand. That wicket opened a small window for India A, and they seized it briefly.
Harsh Dubey, bowling with guile and drift, dismissed captain McSweeney leg-before for a single-digit score and had Oliver Peake caught in the slips soon after. The big moment arrived when Dubey outfoxed Konstas with a quicker arm-ball, ending his majestic knock at 109. From 198/0, Australia A had slumped to 224/3, giving India A a glimmer of hope.
Connolly and Scott Restore Stability
That hope, however, was short-lived. Cooper Connolly and Liam Scott combined for a crucial 109-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Connolly played with the freedom of a man unbothered by the scoreboard pressure, scoring a fluent 70 that included authoritative drives and lofted strokes over mid-off.
Scott, in contrast, was more restrained, content to grind out runs and hold one end. His unbeaten knock ensured Australia A regained momentum heading into stumps. Dubey struck again late in the day to remove Connolly, but by then the visitors had already crossed 330, reclaiming the upper hand.
India A’s Bowling Woes
For India A, the day was one of toil. The seamers, Mukesh Kumar and Brar, bowled in patches but lacked consistency. Mukesh, usually dependable with the new ball, was expensive and failed to trouble the openers. Brar redeemed himself after tea with Kellaway’s wicket but otherwise struggled for control.
The spinners offered more resistance. Harsh Dubey (3/88) was clearly the pick of the bowlers, mixing flight and variation effectively to bag the wickets of Konstas, McSweeney, and Peake. His performance was one of the few positives on an otherwise frustrating day. Tanush Kotian, though economical in his 20 overs, remained wicketless.
Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy was tested, as frequent bowling changes and field adjustments did little to curb the Australians’ dominance for most of the day.
Key Performances
- Sam Konstas – 109 (144): A masterful century, full of intent and authority, laying the foundation.
- Campbell Kellaway – 88: Played the perfect foil, narrowly missing a hundred but stabilizing the innings.
- Cooper Connolly – 70: A counter-attacking knock that ensured Australia A stayed in control.
- Harsh Dubey – 3/88: India A’s shining light with the ball, providing breakthroughs when most needed.
Brief Scores
Australia A 337/5 in 73 overs (Sam Konstas 109, Campbell Kellaway 88, Cooper Connolly 70; Harsh Dubey 3/88) vs India A.
Looking Ahead
Australia A will begin Day 2 in a commanding position with Scott well set and the lower order capable of pushing the score past 400 or even 450. For India A, early wickets in the morning will be crucial to avoid chasing leather again.
With the pitch already showing signs of aiding spin, Dubey and Kotian may yet have a bigger role to play. But the real test awaits the Indian batting line-up—Easwaran, Sudharsan, and captain Iyer—who will have to respond strongly to match Australia A’s imposing first-innings total.
If the weather holds, Day 2 promises an intense battle between India A’s resolve and Australia A’s momentum.
