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Holland, Neser keep Australia A in touch

Jon Holland captures three wickets, Michael Neser four as the opening four-day match hangs in the balance

Australia’s Test batting contenders will have a chance to press their cases on day three of their four-day match against India A in Bengaluru, after Michael Neser and Jon Holland pegged the hosts back on Monday.

SCORECARD: India A v Australia A

Usman Khawaja will be hoping to back up his first-innings century when play resumes on Tuesday, currently unbeaten on 16 alongside Travis Head (13) with Australia A 1-42.

And after Australia A's middle order all missed out in the opening dig, combining for just four runs between Head at first-drop and No.5 Mitch Marsh, the tourists will be desperate to impress with Test spots on the line.

Kurtis Patterson was the sole Australia A wicket to fall on Monday, caught behind on 13 after the tourists earlier bowled India A out for 274, a lead of 31 runs.

Khawaja and Head then navigated a tricky period before stumps to eke out an 11-run advantage.

India A had started day two on 0-41, with openers Mayank Agarwal and Ravikumar Samarth adding just 21 runs to their overnight total Michael Neser struck, removing Agarwal for 47.

Samarth’s innings came an end immediately after drinks, handing Test hopeful Holland his first wicket of the match, before Neser claimed his second just three overs later, catching Shreyas Iyer shouldering arms to an inswinger that struck off stump.

A direct hit from Marnus Labuschagne at cover handed Australia A their fourth, leaving the hosts looking shaky at 4-116.

With the conditions continuing to produce the reverse swing that had Australia A’s batters in trouble on the opening day, India A No.5 Ankit Bawne fought his way to 91no, remaining unbeaten as Holland and Neser worked their way through the hosts’ lower order.

Holland bowled both Srikar Bharat and Krishnappa Gowtham, while Neser trapped Kuldeep Yadav lbw before striking immediately with the second new ball; with a brilliant return catch sending Navdeep Saini on his way without scoring.

A run out then brought India A’s innings to an end on 274, a lead of 31 runs over their rivals.

Neser finished with 4-61 from his 20 overs, while Holland’s 3-89 has done his bid to be named Australia’s second spinner behind Nathan Lyon in the opening Test in the UAE no harm.

Brendan Doggett (1-72) was the other wicket-taker, while Chris Tremain went unrewarded, finishing with figures of 0-39 from his 13 overs.

Australia A Tour of India

Australia A four-day squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Joel Paris, Kurtis Patterson, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Swepson, Chris Tremain

Four-day fixtures in Bengaluru

2-5 September v India A

8-11 September v India A

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