Sam Harper century leads Australia A fightback

Cricknation Update: Sam Harper century leads Australia A fightback The Victoria keeper rescued Australia A after Bhute and Mulani had reduced them to 104 for 5 The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 The smile of a champion – Mohammed Siraj picked up five wickets in a ten-ball period, India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup final, Colombo, September 17, 2023 Alyssa Healy poses with the trophy after Australia retained the Ashes, England vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Women’s Ashes, Taunton, July 18, 2023 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Chandigarh, Chandigarh hpens to be India’s first planned city and it does show, Uploaded on 27 November 2001.

Sam Harper scored his sixth first-class hundred, India A vs Australia A, 2nd unofficial Test, Puducherry, 1st day, September 29, 2026 Australia A 282 for 7 (Harper 101*, Sangha 46, Bhute 3-35, Mulani 3-77) vs India A A rearguard hundred from Sam Harper led Australia A ‘s recovery after Nachiket Bhute and Shams Mulani had reduced them to 104 for 5 on day one of the second unofficial Test in Puducherry. Following partnerships of 84 for the sixth wicket with Liam Scott and 89 for the seventh with Todd Murphy, Harper went to stumps batting on 101, having steered Australia A to 282 for 7. art from the dispointment of letting their dominant position slip away, India A would also have been concerned about the frequent no-balls from their bowlers.

Bhute bowled seven runs in 28 overs and Mulani surprisingly bowled 14 runs. In the first unofficial Test last week, Mulani had bowled nine no-balls across 34.1 overs while taking a match haul of 7 for 124. Harper, the 29-year-old Victoria keeper-batter, has played at the senior level for over a decade, but this was his first first-class match outside the Sheffield Shield and outside Australia.

Having walked into a crisis, he batted with freedom, using his feet regularly to the spinners, and got to his half-century in 65 balls, and his hundred – his sixth in first-class cricket – in 146. He hit seven fours and three sixes. Australia are currently without a reserve wicketkeeper in South Africa after Josh Inglis injured his finger during the ODI series.

Scott (34 off 82 balls) and Murphy (33 off 91) were instrumental in Australia A’s recovery, and the visitors will hope Harper can rally lower down the order on the second morning to take his total within striking distance of 300. Their outlook was looking much less positive at the start of the match after electing to bat first, as Vidarbha fast bowler Bhute and Mumbai left-arm spinner Mulani restricted them to 16 for 3 in 12 overs. The fightback was first started by Nathan McSweeney (34 off 76 balls) and Jason Sangha, who added 81 runs for the fourth wicket, before Sangha dismissed Mullaney when he was four runs short of his half-century.

McSweeney fell soon after, miscuing an attempted big hit off Mulani to mid-on, and bringing Harper to the crease. Sam Harper scored his sixth first-class century, India A vs Australia A, 2nd unofficial Test, Puducherry, Day 1, Sep 29, 2026 The T20 trend started and Konstas threw away his wicket. Not a wicket-taking delivery by any means..

the length was on the shorter side and seemed to hold in the pitch a bit more than Konstas expected. He goes back to play the pull but doesn’t get any timing and hits it straight to Kotian at midwicket. Impact straight away.

Nachiket pitches it full on, Philippe goes to drive sharply but fails to deny the swing. Edges to DDP at second slip. Philippe’s quomdo-conquering innings has come to an end and he looks to play a big innings by coming down the track, makes mistakes and hits it in the air at mid-on, which Rashid takes.

A loud cry and the cordon is confident! It was a good length on off, Handscomb deciding to leave this one late. Kushagra snaffles a low catch and they are up in unison.

The umpires come together for a chat and send it upstairs. UltraEdge revealed that on the way he kissed the bottom edge and the keeper patted it cleanly. The Australian ctain had to go back to a lovely delivery for a duck this time, pitched on a length outside the off stump and spun slightly away to take the outside edge, Sangha on the backfoot was stuck in two minds whether to play or let it go, too late, the ball takes the edge and a good sharp catch by the keeper.

The fuller delivery was a little wide outside off stump, driven on the front foot and taken to the slip edge by Padikkal. Down the track he comes, looking to bludgeon this through the cover region! Misses it completely…

India A are screaming, and they have taken it over the top! Ultra-edge comes up on the big screen, and yes, there is a spike as the ball passes the bat. The faintest of edges, and Harper’s magnificent effort comes to an end.

Anshul bags his second. To keep it tight, some reward combos work straight away. A perfect length on middle, enough to beat the bat and move the stumps.

Murphy has done his job does him all ends up! Fizzed through on a length just outside off. Richardson lunges forward but fails to get to the pitch of the ball.

Releases a huge G as he tries to work it down leg with an angled bat and the ball hits his stumps. A handy cameo by Richardson, but a much-needed wicket for India A! Full on the stumps, thumping straight onto the pads.

Huge cry for leg before, but the umpire says no. DDP thinks there may be a bat involved, but Anshul convinces his ctain to take it up. The replay comes up, there’s no bat involved, and here come the ball tracking lines.

Decision overturned, and Australia A are bundled out for 358 Kamboj does the job straightaway. A perfect length on middle, nips in enough to beat the bat and to rattle stumps. Murphy has completed his work on the track, trying to push it through the covered area!

Misses it completely… India A are screaming, and they have taken it over the top! Ultra-edge comes up on the big screen, and yes, there is a spike as the ball passes the bat.

The weakest of the edges, and Harper’s brilliant effort was over. Anshul bags his second. Some reward for keeping it tight Dead in front?

Full on the stumps, thumping straight into the pad. Huge cry for leg before, but the umpire says no. DDP thinks there may be a bat involved, but Anshul convinces his ctain to take it up.

The replay comes up, there’s no bat involved, and here come the ball tracking lines. Decision overturned, and Australia A are bundled out for 358 GONE! Impact straight away.

Nachiket pitches it full on, Philippe goes to drive sharply but fails to deny the swing. Edges to DDP at second slip. A loud cry and the circle is convinced that Philip’s quomodoconquering innings is over!

It was a good length on off, Handscomb deciding to leave this one late. Kushagra took a slow catch and they stood together. The umpires come together for a chat and send it upstairs.

Ultraedge reveal it kissed the bottom edge on the way through, and the keeper pouched it cleanly. The Australian ctain had to walk back to duck a fuller delivery outside off stump, drove on the front foot and took the slip edge and Padikkal took it. T20 instincts kicked in and Konstas has thrown his wicket away.

Not a wicket-taking delivery by any means.. the length was on the shorter side and seemed to hold in the pitch a bit more than Konstas expected. He goes back to play the pull but gets no timing whatsoever, pulling it straight to Kotian at midwicket.

lovely delivery this time, pitches on a length outside the off stump and spins away slightly to get the outside edge, Sangha on the back foot caught in two minds to play or let it go, too late, the ball takes the edge and good sharp catch by the keeper. comes down the track and looks to go big, miscues and hits in the air to mid-on, taken by Rasheed. does him all ends up!

Fizzed through on a length just outside off. Richardson lunges forward but fails to get to the pitch of the ball. Releases a huge G as he tries to work it down leg with an angled bat and the ball hits his stumps.

A useful cameo by Richardson, but a much-needed wicket for India A! Impact straight away. Nachiket pitches it full on off, Philippe goes for the booming drive but fails to negate the swing.

Edges to DDP at second slip. Philippe’s quomodocunquizing innings comes to an end T20 instincts kicked in and Konstas has thrown his wicket away. Not a wicket-taking delivery by any means..

The length was short and it seemed the pitch was holding a bit more than Kontas expected. He goes back to play the pull but gets no timing whatsoever, pulling it straight to Kotian at midwicket. A loud cry and the cordon is confident!

It was a good length on off, Handscomb deciding to leave this one late. Kushagra snaffles a low catch and they are up in unison. The umpires come together to talk and send it up.

Ultraedge reveal it kissed the bottom edge on the way through, and the keeper pouched it cleanly. The Australian ctain had to go back to a lovely delivery for a duck this time, pitched on a length outside the off stump and spun slightly away to take the outside edge, Sangha on the backfoot was stuck in two minds whether to play or let it go, too late, the ball takes the edge and a good sharp catch by the keeper. comes down the track and looks to go big, miscues and hits in the air to mid-on, taken by Rasheed.

The fuller delivery was a little wide outside off stump, driven on the front foot and taken to the slip edge by Padikkal. Kamboj does the job straightaway. A perfect length on middle, enough to beat the bat and move the stumps.

Murphy has done his job does him all ends up! Fizzed through on a length just outside off. Richardson moved forward but failed to reach the pitch of the ball.

Releases a huge G as he tries to work it down leg with an angled bat and the ball hits his stumps. A handy cameo by Richardson, but a much-needed wicket for India A! Down the track he comes, looking to bludgeon this through the cover region!

Misses it completely… India A are screaming, and they have taken it over the top! Ultra-edge comes up on the big screen, and yes, there is a spike as the ball passes the bat.

The weakest of the edges, and Harper’s brilliant effort was over. Anshul bags his second. Some reward for keeping it tight Dead in front?

Full on the stumps, thumping straight into the pad. Huge cry for leg before, but the umpire says no. DDP thinks there may be a bat involved, but Anshul convinces his ctain to take it up.

The replay comes up, there’s no bat involved, and here come the ball tracking lines. Decision overturned, and Australia A are bundled out for 358 Big peal and the finger goes up! Back of a length on the off stump, Ayush was caught in two minds and tried to get his blade back at the last second.

The Australians go up in unison and the umpire raises his finger. Aayush hesitates, consults his partner, and decides to challenge it. The Ultra Edge comes up, and there is a noticeable spike as it passes the bat.

The decision stands, and it’s a huge early blow for the hosts, oh, what hpened here?!! Back of a length on middle and off. Plenty of revs on this and the ball bites away from the batter.

Sudarshan gets smart and is out. The ball looked to be going a long way, but replays confirmed that the ball had indeed flicked outside off. By the barest of margins, some would say, and Sudharsan has to go!

Length ball on off stump, angled inward, and it scoots terribly low off the deck! Skids right through the defense and cannons into the stumps. DDP throws his head back in absolute despair, completely undone by the lack of bounce knocks him over, and Hatcher is pumped!

On a length outside off and this seems to tail in late. There was also a slight blow from the pitch and Rashid, coming forward to defend, left a slight g between the bat and the pad. The ball hit the off stump with a thud.

India A sink further into trouble! What a chaotic sequence.. Fired in quicker from around the stumps, the arm ball skids low and cramps Yash for room as he attempts the cut shot.

The keeper and bowler shout in unison, convincing umpire Shamshuddin to send on Yash. Yash reviews straight away believing it has missed the bat, but the snicko replay confirms a distinct spike off the blade. Asha turned over, and India A lost another hit on the pads, and the finger was up!

Kushagra, though, wants to review. Length ball in the channel and it bounces back quickly. Kushagra seems to play outside the line and gets pinged on the knee roll of the front pad.

Height might save him. Well, what do we know. Three reds on Ball Tracking and India A are now five down!

And Rocchiccioli has come up trump straightaway! Floated up beautifully on a length outside off. Dropped late on the batsman and Kotian is nowhere on the pitch of the ball as he looks to drive through cover.

The ball hit G and hit the stump. A dream off-spinner is out, and India A is now in complete disarray! India A have been all out, pitches outside the off stump from round the wicket, keeps low once again, stays in the crease and looking to force it away, gets the bottom edge onto the stumps.

Wanted to heave the ball, pitched outside off stump, pitched a bit low, missed and dropped the stump. lovely delivery reverse swinging in, plays half forward and strikes the pad in line, loud peal and given. Big peal and the finger goes up!

Back of a length on the off stump, Ayush was caught in two minds and tried to get his blade back at the last second. The Australians go up as one, and the umpire raises the finger. Ayush hesitates, takes advice from his partner and decides to challenge it.

The Ultra Edge comes up, and there is a noticeable spike as it passes the bat. The decision stands, and it’s a huge early blow for the hosts, lovely delivery reverse swings, played half forward and hits the pads on the line, gets a loud shout and is delivered. India A are all out, pitch outside off stump, round the wicket, stays low once again, stays in the crease and tries to take it away, the bottom edge hits the stumps.

knocks him over, and Hatcher is pumped! On a length outside off and it looks to be coming late. There was also a slight blow from the pitch and Rashid, coming forward to defend, left a slight g between the bat and the pad.

The ball rattles through and thunders into off stump. India A sink further into trouble! Length ball on off stump, turning inwards, and falling well short of the deck!

Skids right through the defense and cannons into the stumps. DDP throws his head back in absolute despair, completely undone by the lack of bounce timmmbbberrrr! And Rocchiccioli has come up trump straightaway!

Floated up beautifully on a length outside off. Drops on the batter late and Kotian is nowhere to the pitch of the ball as he looks to drive through cover. The ball bursts through the g and smashes into the stumps.

A dream off-spinner is out, and India A is now in complete disarray! looking to heave away the delivery, pitches outside the off stump, keeps a bit low, misses it and knocks the stumps. oh, what has hpened here?!!

Back of a length on middle and off. Plenty of revs on this and the ball bites away from the batter. Sudharsan gets squared up and gets done on the outside.

The ball seems to be heading past off, but replays confirm that the ball has actually flicked the outside of off. By the barest of margins, some would say, and Sudharsan has to go! What a chaotic sequence..

Fired sharply around the stumps, the arm ball slid down the ground and Yash was forced to make room while attemng a cut shot. The keeper and bowler scream in unison, persuading umpire Shamshuddin to send Yash on his way. Yash immediately reviewed and assumed it missed the bat, but snicko replays confirm a distinct spike from the blade.

Asha turned over, and India A lost another hit on the pads, and the finger was up! Kushagra, though, wants to review. Length ball in the channel and this jags back in sharply.

Kushagra seems to play outside the line and gets pinged on the knee roll of the front pad. Height might save him. Well, what do we know.

Three raids on ball tracking and India A now trail by five! Big peal and the finger goes up! Back of a length on the off stump, Ayush was caught in two minds and tried to get his blade back at the last second.

The decision stands, and that is a massive early blow for the hosts oh, what has hpened here?!! Back of a length on middle and off. Plenty of revs on this and the ball bites away from the batter.

Length ball on off stump, angled inward, and it scoots terribly low off the deck! Skids right through the defense and cannons into the stumps. DDP throws his head back in complete despair, completely undone by the lack of a bounce, what a chaotic sequence..

Fired in quicker from around the stumps, the arm ball skids low and cramps Yash for room as he attempts the cut shot. The keeper and bowler shout in unison, convincing umpire Shamshuddin to send on Yash. Yash reviews straight away believing it has missed the bat, but the snicko replay confirms a distinct spike off the blade.

Asha turned over, and India A lost another hit on the pads, and the finger was up! Kushagra, though, wants to review. Length ball in the channel and it bounces back quickly.

Kushgra is seen playing outside the line and gets pinged on the knee roll of the front pad. Height might save him. Well, what do we know.

Three reds on Ball Tracking and India A are now five down! knocks him over, and Hatcher is pumped! On a length outside off and this seems to tail in late.

A bit of nip off the pitch too, and Rasheed, coming forward to defend, leaves a slight g between bat and pad. The ball rattles through and thunders into off stump. India A sink further into trouble!

The ball bursts through the g and smashes into the stumps. A dream off-spinner is out, and India A is now in complete disarray! Wanted to heave the ball, pitched outside off stump, pitched a bit low, missed and dropped the stump.

Beautiful delivery, reverse swinging, played half forward and hit on the pads in line, thundered loudly and delivered. India A are all out, pitch outside off stump, round the wicket, stays low once again, stays in the crease and tries to take it away, the bottom edge hits the stumps. Goes well outside the off stump and exposes his stumps, the ball finds its way and falls off the off stump.

has Philippe run himself out?! Back of a length outside off. Phillip gets on his toes and turns it in the middle.

Takes off for a very risky solo, and is unable to make it. Deshpande with the direct hit at the bowler’s end, and India have broken this opening stand courtesy a moment of fielding magic! Changing the ball changes luck instantly!

Back of a length and it slips low. McSweeney wants to hack it over mid wicket but does not have the room for it. He doesn’t even get the bounce he wants, and the ball rips off the bat and hits the OT stump!

spins in sharply, Handscomb moves back to play with an open face, the ball goes through to knock the middle stump out. Changing the ball changes luck instantly! Back of a length and it slips low.

McSweeney wants to hack it over mid wicket but does not have the room for it. He doesn’t even get the bounce he wants, and the ball rips off the bat and hits the OT stump! Goes well outside the off stump and exposes his stumps, the ball finds its way and falls off the off stump.

Swirls away quickly, Handscomb steps back to play with the open face, the ball falls short of middle stump. has Philippe run himself out?! Back of a length outside off.

Phillip gets on his toes and turns it in the middle. Takes off for a very risky solo, and is unable to make it. Deshpande with the direct hit at the bowler’s end, and India have broken this opening stand courtesy a moment of fielding magic!

moves too far outside the off stump and exposes his stumps, the ball finds a way and knocks the off stump. Swirls away quickly, Handscomb steps back to play with the open face, the ball falls short of middle stump. change of ball results in an immediate change of fortunes!

Todd Murphy took two wickets on day two, India A vs Australia A, 2nd unofficial Test, Puducherry, Day 2, Sep 30, 2026 Sam Harper has been brilliant with the bat across formats and could be in the mix for top honors for Australia Sam Harper scored his sixth first-class century, India A vs Australia A, 2nd unofficial Test, Puducherry, Day 1, Sep 29, 2026 Sam Harper took his sixth first-class century Scored sixth first-class century, India A vs Australia A, 2nd unofficial Test, Puducherry, Day 1, Sep 29, 2026 The Australia A ctain has acknowledged his reputation, but believes his county and Shield experience has shown he can succeed in all conditions, Peter Handscomb stripped of his number in the Prime Minister’s XI, Prime Minister’s XI vs England XI, Canberra, Nov 29, 2025 Third place from the Test XI, but B Sai Sudarshan is back batting and scoring runs, and plans to do a lot of both, Todd Murphy takes two wickets on Day 2, India A vs Australia A, 2nd Unofficial Test, Puducherry, Day 2, Sep 30, 2026 IND-A vs AUS-A 2026/27, IND-A vs AUS-A 2nd Unofficial Test Match Report, Sep 29 – Oct 02, 2026 – Sam Harper’s century gives tough challenge to Australia A IND-A vs AUS-A 2026/27, India A vs Australia A Match Report: Victoria keeper saves Australia A after Bhute and Mullaney had them at 104 for 5 Sam Harper is ‘learning’ as he spreads his wings Handscomb: ‘Don’t want to be known as just a spin player’ Day 3 – Session 3: Australia runs ahead of A 345. Murphy, Australia A bowlers keep India A in check Peter Handscomb: ‘I don’t want to be known as just a player of spin’ Sai Sudharsan returns to his hpy place after injury layoff