Sam Konstas, Spencer Johnson star as Australia A take 2-0 lead

Sam Konstas scored 67 and Spencer Johnson took three wickets as Australia A defeated India A by 69 runs in the second 50-over match in Puducherry. The victory gave Australia A an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series

Puducherry: Sam Konstas top-scored with 67, while left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson claimed three wickets to power Australia A to a series-clinching 69-run victory over India A in the second 50-over match at the Cricket Association Pondicherry Siechem Ground on Friday.

Australia A delivered another all-round performance on a sluggish pitch. Their top order laid the foundation early, with Konstas and No. 3 Josh Philippe (58) scoring fluent half-centuries. They received support from skipper Nathan McSweeney (32), Mitch Owen (25) and Lachlan Shaw (25).

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Despite a late collapse triggered by India A’s bowlers, Australia A posted 275 in 49.5 overs, a total that proved beyond India A’s reach. Arshad Khan led the bowling effort for India A with 3-56, while Yash Thakur claimed 2-46.

In reply, Australia A’s pacers outclassed the India A batters with pace and bounce. With Mahli Beardman rested, Johnson, Riley Meredith and Ben Dwarshuis extracted sharp bounce and movement to derail the chase, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and B Sai Sudharsan during the powerplay.

With Kumar Kushagra and Nishant Sindhu falling cheaply, India A failed to recover from the early damage in their chase of 276. Rajat Patidar offered the lone resistance, scoring 67 off 82 balls for his second consecutive half-century of the series.

However, with wickets falling at the other end, Patidar lacked support and eventually fell to Johnson. India A were bowled out for 206 in 45.2 overs, handing Australia A an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The final game will be played on Sunday.

Brief scores: Australia A 275 all out in 49.5 overs (Sam Konstas 67, Josh Philippe 58; Arshad Khan 3-56, Yash Thakur 2-46) beat India A 206 all out in 45.2 overs (Rajat Patidar 67, Anukul Roy 34 not out; Spencer Johnson 3-35, Riley Meredith 2-31) by 69 runs.