Australia A wicketkeeper Josh Philippe scored a rapid unbeaten century on day two of the first four-day match between India A and Australia A.
Josh Philippe accelerates to fifth first-class century
After skipper Nathan McSweeney won the toss, Australia A batted first on a rain-shortened day one (September 16). By stumps, they had reached 337-5 with Liam Scott and wicketkeeper Josh Philippe at the crease.
Philippe was not out on on three overnight, and he continued to pile on the runs with Scott on the second morning. Scott made a half-century before Gurnoor Brar dismissed him for 81 to leave Australia 414-6. Philippe made it to his half-century soon after, getting to the mark off 55 deliveries.
With No.8 Xavier Bartlett for company, Philippe then put his foot down, tearing into the Indian attack. In an astonishing display, he lashed eight fours and two sixes to go from 50 to 100 in just 25 deliveries, reaching the three-figure mark for the fifth time in his first-class career, off 80 balls. He then hit two more fours and two more sixes en route to 123 off 87.
The 28-year-old has played 15 times for Australia (three ODIs and 12 T20Is), the last of those coming in December 2023. He made his name as a white-ball specialist in the BBL, but does have a significant body of first-class work – this is his 58th match in the format. Philippe made 85 against Sri Lanka A in July, and another unbeaten century (120* off 121 balls) against the England Lions in January.
Australia A take control of first unofficial Test vs India A
Day one of the contest belonged to openers Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway, who put on 198 runs, eventually scoring 109 and 88 respectively. There was a middle-order wobble before the Test-capped Cooper Connolly made 70, and put on 89 with Liam Scott.
Alongside Philippe's acceleration, Bartlett hit 39 off 24 balls with five fours and two sixes as McSweeney called his batters in shortly before lunch on day two, at 532-6.
The India A bowling card bore an ugly look as Punjab quick Brar was the only one to concede at under five an over. Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey finished with the best figures, 3-141. Early in the second session, openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and N Jagadeesan put on a 50-run stand to make inroads into the visitors' total.
1st unofficial Test, India A vs Australia A
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