Manoj Tiwary slams century as India 'A' post formidable first innings score of 451

If the day one of the India ‘A’-Australia three-day warm-up match belonged to out-of-favour opener Gautam Gambhir (he scored a superb century to serve a notice to the national selectors), day two belonged to Manoj Tiwary as the Bengal middle-order batsman tightened the noose on the Australian bowlers at the India Cement Limited Guru Nanak College Ground in Chennai on Sunday.

Tiwary resumed the proceedings on day two with CM Gautam, at their overnight score of 338 for 4. Peter Siddle gave the visitors something to cheer about after all the leather-hunting they had been subjected to on the opening day.

The right-arm seamer lulled Gautam into a false shot in the fourth over of the day when the 26-year-old Karnataka batsman tried to pull the bowler but only managed to nick it to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who led Australia in the opening two-day sidegame against the Board President’s XI.

India ‘A’ had just added eight runs to their overnight score when Siddle showed the dressing room way to Gautam.

Australia must have harboured hopes of making some more early inroads after the dismissal of Gautam. But Madhya Pradesh batter Jalal Saxena hung in gamely and provided staunch support to Tiwary.

The pair handled the Australian seam attack with confidence and when spinners – Xavier Doherty and Nathan Lyon operated in tandem, they were at ease against them as well.

Tiwary, who was overnight not out on 77, soon arrived his century clouting Xavier Doherty for a six – his hundred came from 15 fours and two sixes. The pair raised a 76-run sixth-wicket partnership when Tiwary perished 129. He attempted a sweep shot off Nathan Lyon but only managed to sky one to Xavier Doherty. His 129 came from 187 deliveries and was punctuated with 18 fours and three sixes.

Saxena held one end up after the fall of Tiwary and received good support from Gujarat southpaw Rakesh Dhruv, who used the long handle and clobbered three sixes to smack a 18-ball 21before he became left-arm spinner Ashton Agar’s first victim pouched by Usman Khawaja. Agar got his first wicket in the 124th over of the innings.

Agar was soon on a hat-trick having consumed Vinay Kumar for a first-ball duck. Manpreet Goni denied Agar a hat-trick but soon gave the bowler his third wicket when he holed out to Phil Hughes attempting a slog sweep.

Nathan Lyon brought the India ‘A’ innings to an end when he had Dhawal Kulkarni caught by Ed Cowan for 1.

Jalal Saxena remained unbeaten on 30 as India ‘A’ were all out for 451 off 128.4 overs.