Max powers to half-century
GOLD Coast Dolphins teen Max Bryant continued his push for a Queensland call up yesterday as the Cricket Australia XI took control of their clash with India in Sydney.
Bryant, who is yet to play first class cricket, made a quickfire 62 from 65 balls opening the batting alongside D’Arcy Short (74), with the CA XI reaching 6-356 in reply to the tourists’ 358.
While Harry Nielsen (56 not out) and Aaron Hardie (69 not out) also passed 50 for the hosts, the match was marred by an ankle injury to India’s Prithvi Shaw that has ruled him out of the first Test against Australia in Adelaide beginning December 6.
All-rounder Hardie also dismissed captain Virat Kohli en route to figures of 4-50 in India’s innings.
While the match doesn’t have first-class status, as per India’s request, Kohli won’t be thrilled with the output of his pacemen.
Pacemen Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma all struggled with their consistency, while offspinner Ravi Ashwin returned 1-63 from 24 overs.
“The wicket was pretty flat. Initially we conceded a few runs with the new ball and then we realised what lengths we had to bowl and what sort of fields we need,” Ashwin said.
Short noted India had a “good attack (but) the pitch is quite good for batting”.
Today is the fourth and final day of play.