Holland puts India A in a spin with six

Spinner Jon Holland has dismantled the home side’s batting line-up to pilot Australia A’s convincing victory in Bengaluru.

The tourists moved 1-0 up in their two-match series against India A after Holland collected 6-81 from 24.3 overs in his team’s 98-run win.

India A resumed at 2-63 on day four, needing 199 runs to claim victory, but Mayank Agarwal (80 from 189 balls) was the only batsman to stand tall as they crumbled to be all out for 163.

Holland also snared 3-89 in the first innings in a player-of-the-match display.

The Victorian left-arm spinner did his chances of a call up to Australia’s squad for the Test series against Pakistan in the UAE next month no harm.

Holland was picked ahead of fellow slow bowlers Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson for the first of two unofficial Tests ahead of the coming tour and performed with aplomb.

Holland has played two Tests for Australia – both against Sri Lanka – with his last appearance in the five-day format coming in August, 2016.

The 31-year-old claimed 50 wickets in the JLT Sheffield Shield in a standout summer in 2016-17 and could partner Nathan Lyon against Pakistan.

Mayank and Ankit Bawne successfully negotiated the first hour of play on Wednesday before the latter was bowled by Holland for 25, leaving India A 3-106.

The decisive period came shortly before lunch, however, as Travis Head, Brendan Doggett and Holland all struck within 14 balls to give Australia A the initiative.

Ravikumar Samarth was removed for 8 after Head completed a regulation caught and bowled.

Four balls later, wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat perished without scoring as he was caught at leg gully by Peter Handscomb off the glove as he tried to fend off a Doggett short ball.

Holland then trapped Krishnappa Gowtham lbw for a duck, leaving India A wobbling at 6-128 after the first session.

Australia A missed a chance for a fourth wicket in a dominant period, with Doggett overstepping when he had opener Mayank caught behind courtesy of a superb catch from Alex Carey when he was on 56.

Despite that, the outcome was never in doubt as the final four wickets tumbled quickly after the break.

Kuldeep Yadav (2) and Mohammed Siraj (8) lost their wickets before Mayank whacked a full toss back at Holland and was caught and bowled.

Ankit Rajpoot was then run out by Doggett for one to mark an end to proceedings midway through the second session.

Doggett returned 2-26 from 11 overs and Chris Tremain 1-26 from 10.

Head played a key role in setting India A tricky target, compiling a classy 87 on day three and staking his claim for a spot in Australia’s Test side.

The South Australia skipper’s 162-ball innings on Tuesday featured 13 boundaries as he shared a crucial 81-run partnership with Usman Khawaja (40) and a 50-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne (37) to help Australia A post 292 in their second innings.

The second four-day match between the teams stars September 8.