Hyderabad, Luke Ronchi and Shaun Tait shrugged off their bad start on the tour to steer Australia A to a comfortable 79-run victory over India A in the triangular cricket series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here Tuesday.

Electing to bat, India A were bowled out for 207. Australia were cruising along with Ronchi hitting a fluent unbeaten 108 before rain interrupted the proceedings after 27 overs. Australia were later declared the winners by the rain rule --VJD method.

Comeback man Tait along with Ashley Noffke bowled with fire to rip apart the Indian batting. The hosts were reduced to five for 53 in 16 overs and it was then left to Indian Premier League (IPL) players Yusuf Pathan and Abhishek Nayyar to arrest the rot. While Pathan did the bulk of scoring, Nayyar played a second foil to stabilise the Indian innings.

The last-wicket stand of 47 between Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni took India's score past 200.

In reply, Australia A began well with Ronchi and Phillip Hughes sharing an opening stand of 129 runs.

Ronchi struck 13 boundaries and three sixes in his 79-ball knock before before rain stopped play with 40 needed off 23 overs when rain stopped play.

EMAIL THIS NEWS COMMENTS No comments yet