Gutsy India fights back

With his unbeaten 55 off 57 balls, Bumrah was the top-scorer for the visitor, which folded up for a disappointing 194 in 48.3 overs at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Indians however came back strongly with the ball to bundle out Australia for 108 at stumps as 20 wickets fell on a curtailed when almost an hour was lost due to heavy rain.

India’s four-pronged pace attack did well to intimidate Australian youngsters with short-pitched stuff as Mohammed Shami and Navdeep Saini got three wickets apiece. On a day when the recognised batsmen struggled to put runs on the board, Bumrah, who came into the game with a Test batting average of 2.9, produced a stellar performance with the willow, smashing the ball six times to the fence and twice over it.

The 27-year-old, known for his wily bowling, reached his half-century in style, hooking a bouncer by all-rounder Will Sutherland for a huge six over the deep square-leg fence.

Bumrah and fellow pacer Mohammed Siraj stitched a valuable 71-run partnership for the 10th wicket. The Australians may have bowled out India for a low score but they wouldn’t be too happy with the way their batting panned out during the day’s play.

While Joe Burns was sent back by a fine Bumrah delivery that moved away just enough to take the beleaguered opener’s edge, what will worry it most is the injury to Test hopeful Cameron Green. All-rounder Green, who had scored a hundred in the first warm-up game, suffered a concussion while bowling after a rasping straight drive from Bumrah struck him on the head.

Shami was rewarded for his perseverance as he picked up the wickets of Harris and Ben McDermott, a hint of swing and seam movement aiding him.

Siraj (1/26) then had Maddinson to leave the home team reeling at 52 for four. Shami made it 56 for five when he had Sean Abbott caught behind.

Brief scores: Indians 194 in 48.3 overs (P Shaw 40, S Gill 43, J Bumrah 55 not out, S Abbott 3/46, J Wildermuth 3/13) vs Australia A 108 in 32.2 overs (A Carey 32, M Shami 3/29, N Saini 3/19)