The only four-day red-ball game between India A and Australia A at the Allan Border Field, Brisbane began under heavy clouds of anticipation, but it was the weather that eventually dictated proceedings on Day 1. After being invited to bat first, India A’s innings never quite found stability, and by stumps, the visitors were reeling at 93 for 5 in 23.2 overs before rain brought an early end to the day’s play.
India A endured a tough start, losing their wicketkeeper-opener Nandini Kashyap for a duck in the second over, undone by Georgia Prestwidge. Dhara Gujjar followed soon after without troubling the scorers, leaving the side at 6 for 2. A brief counterattack came from Shafali Verma, who looked in fine touch with her trademark aggression, striking eight boundaries in a fluent 35 off 38 balls. However, her dismissal to Prestwidge at 44 marked a big blow, just as she seemed set to take control.
Tejal Hasabnis (9 off 20) also fell cheaply to Sianna Ginger, and the innings was left in disarray at 44 for 4. It was then that Raghvi Bist held her ground, compiling a patient unbeaten 26 off 44 balls, steering India A through testing spells from the Australian quicks. She found some support from Tanusree Sarkar, who struck a steady 13 off 20 before edging to slip off Maitlan Brown. Captain Radha Yadav (8* off 12), alongside Bist, saw India through to 93 for 5 before rain forced the players off.
For Australia A, Georgia Prestwidge was the standout bowler, wreaking havoc with the new ball and finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 23 in her seven overs. Maitlan Brown (1/41) and Sianna Ginger (1/19) also chipped in with important strikes, ensuring India A never built momentum.
Persistent showers and a wet outfield meant no further play was possible, and stumps were called prematurely on a day that offered only a glimpse of competitive cricket. With three more days scheduled, both sides will be hoping the weather clears up, as Australia A look to press their advantage and India A search for resilience in the middle order.
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