India’s young middle-order batsman Virat Kohli and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin were impressive while opening batsman Ed Cowan strengthened his case for a call-up to Australia’s Test with a century for Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI on the second day of the three-day practice game at the Manuka Oval here Tuesday.
Kohli, who was unbeaten on 55 overnight, converted his half-century to 132 before left-arm spinner Jon Holland triggered a lower-order collapse to limit the Indians to 269. Holland finished with figures of 6 for 70.
Cowan then strengthened his case for a call-up to Australia’s Test squad by scoring his fourth consecutive first-class ton. Cowan’s 109 off 154 balls here came after two centuries in the Sheffield Shield and one for Australia A against the touring New Zealanders.
Riding on Cowan’s fine innings, Chairman’s XI were well placed to take a first-innings lead, but Ashwin struck thrice to reduce them to seven for 214 at stumps. Chairman’s XI still trailed the visitors by 55 runs. Ashwin finished the day with figures of four for 52.
The spotlight, however, was on India’s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, who couldn’t take part in the first practice game. Zaheer failed to impress and went wicketless in his 10 overs giving away 41 runs. The left-arm pacer is working his way to an international comeback after an ankle surgery.
Chairman XI captain and Test opener David Warner was bowled by Abhimanyu Mithun for just two runs. Cowan then single-handedly stuck into the Indian attack. Besides Warner, two other Australia batsmen also failed to make the most of the opportunity. Usman Khawaja made 25 off 49 balls and Phillip Hughes managed 20 off 29.
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