Tri-series: Ashton Agar shines as Australia A edge India A to enter final

Chennai, Aug 10: Australia A remained unbeaten in the Tri-series One Day tournament and entered the final as they defeated India A by 3 wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium today.

Australia A successfully chased down 259 on Monday for their 3rd straight win. This was their second victory against the hosts. With this, they stay on top of the league table with 14 points. India A are second with 5 followed by South Africa A (no wins).

Electing to bat, India A posted 258/9 in 50 overs thanks to half centuries from opener Mayank Agarwal (61, 61 balls, 7x4, 1x6) and Manish Pandey (50, 38 balls, 2x4, 2x6). For the visitors, left-arm spinner Ashton Agar was the most impressive bowler with 5/39 in 10 overs.

In reply, Australia A were in a spot of bother at 178/6 in 34.3 overs. But right-handers Adam Zampa (54, 49 balls, 7x4, 1x6) and Callum Ferguson (45 not out, 63 balls, 2x4) added 80 runs which turned out to be the match-winning partnership.

Zampa was dismissed with just 1 run needed for victory. Earlier, number three batsman Chris Lynn had scored 63 (61 balls, 5x4, 3x6) while opener Travis Head made 45 (43 balls, 8x4).

Leg-spinner Karn Sharma was India A's most successful bowler with 3/45. Sandeep Sharma, Rishi Dhawan, Axar Patel and Karun Nair took 1 wicket each.

In their last league game, India A face South Africa A on August 12. Yesterday (August 9), India A had defeated the same opponent by 8 wickets. Today's match was rescheduled as South Africa's 10 players were hospitalised due to "food poisoning".

Scores in brief

India A 258/9 in 50 overs (Mayank Agarwal 61, Manish Pandey 50, Karun Nair 32, Ashton Agar 5/39, Gurinder Sandhu 2/66) lost to Australia A 262/7 in 48.3 overs (Chris Lynn 63, Adam Zampa 54, Travis Head 45, Callum Ferguson 45 not out, Karn Sharma 3/45)

Next match - Australia A Vs South Africa A on August 11 (Tuesday)

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