Home Cricket 2nd unofficial Test: Saurabh Kumar grabs his 22nd five-for as India A close in on victory over England Lions | Cricket News – Times of India

2nd unofficial Test: Saurabh Kumar grabs his 22nd five-for as India A close in on victory over England Lions | Cricket News – Times of India

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2nd unofficial Test: Saurabh Kumar grabs his 22nd five-for as India A close in on victory over England Lions | Cricket News – Times of India

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NEW DELHI: Left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar extended his impressive form for India A by securing his 22nd five-wicket haul, propelling India A towards a significant advantage against England Lions at the conclusion of day three in the second unofficial Test in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Commencing their second innings with a deficit of 341 runs, England Lions showed improved performance, finishing the day at 304 for 8.However, they still require 37 runs to evade an innings defeat and have only two wickets remaining.
The crucial seventh-wicket partnership of 102 runs between wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson (84 not out) and Brydon Carse (38) allowed the Lions to extend the game to the fourth day. England found themselves at 156 for six at one point, and defeat appeared imminent before the Robinson-Carse duo halted the slide.
Unless there is a dramatic turn of events, such as unfavorable weather conditions on Saturday, it seems highly unlikely for any outcome other than an India A victory on the fourth day.
The third day belonged to Saurabh, who is nearing 300 wickets in first class cricket, after ending with figures of 5/104 in 29 overs. He can add two more to his 289 wickets on Saturday.
The pint-sized UP spinner is one of the most distinguished performers among India’s fringe players and has taken five-wicket hauls against most ‘A’ including from New Zealand A and Bangladesh A.
The 30-year-old is also a handy lower middle-order batter with two first-class hundreds and a near 27 average.
However it is sheer bad luck that his career coincided with Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel and hence it has been difficult to fit him into the squad.
Saurabh did get a few call-ups for senior India but had to warm the bench on all occasions.
Someone, who is an old school left-arm spinner, happy to flight the ball and put a good amount of loop to deceive the batters in the air.
He first got left-handed opener Keaton Jennings, caught by Sarfaraz Khan, then bowled an arm ball to trap right-handed Oliver Price in-front of stumps.
He also removed Carse at the nick of time just after he had completed a century stand with Robinson, drawing him forward only to be stumped by Upendra Yadav.
He got a good support from Bengal speedster Akash Deep (3/57 in 18 overs), who dismissed rival skipper Josh Bohanon (48), who looked in ominous touch.
Brief Scores: England Lions 152 and 304/8 (Ollie Robinson 84 batting, Saurabh Kumar 5/102).
(With inputs from PTI)



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