Day three of the first unofficial Test between England Lions and India A at Canterbury ended with the hosts closing in on India A's first-innings score.
At the end of day two, the Lions had made inroads into India A's 557, scoring 237-2 thanks in large part to Sussex opener Tom Haines' century. Max Holden was out there in the middle with him as they resumed play on day three (June 1).
1st unofficial Test, England Lions vs India A
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Tom Haines, Max Holden lay foundation on day three
The pair saw off the first hour or so with relative ease, and took their side past the 300-run mark before Holden was dismissed by Mukesh Kumar just two balls after bringing up an eighth first-class century – breaking a 181-run stand.
For a while, it appeared as though India A had gotten their foot in the door as Mukesh also accounted for skipper James Rew (eight) and then Rehan Ahmed (three) before lunch, leaving the Lions at 333-5 after the first session.
Haines and Dan Mousley then played mainly for time, ensuring that the visitors were made to toil. The opener added just 25 runs between lunch and tea but did go past 150. A double century seemed there for the taking, until Shardul Thakur lived up to his reputation as a partnership-breaker to remove the 26-year-old for 171 after tea.
When Haines went, the Lions were six down, and still 138 runs behind. But with conditions still relatively good for batting, No.8 Zaman Akhter did well to stick around with Mousley.
Dan Mousley scores maiden first-class century
Akhter contributed 17 to a 50-run stand for the seventh wicket, even as Mousley went past fifty and eventually 100, off 146 balls – his first first-class century. India A resorted to bowling Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair towards the end of the day's play, but it paid off in unexpected fashion as Nair trapped Mousley lbw for 113 with the final ball of the day, leaving England Lions seven down, and 30 runs behind.
The form of their bowlers may well be a concern for India, as pacers Harshit Rana and Shardul Thakur, and left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey all proved expensive, conceding at nearly 4.5 per over across 68 overs put together.
Anshul Kamboj continued to impress with his control, and ability to move the ball in the air and off the wicket. He picked up just one wicket, but was the most economical of the regular bowlers on either side.
Score at stumps, day three: India A 557 (Karun Nair 204, Josh Hull 3-72) v England Lions 527-7 (Tom Haines 171, Mukesh Kumar 3-75). England Lions trail by 30 runs.
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