Legspinner grace

But Grace Parsons: Maddy Darke converted her overnight score of 54 into an unbeaten century while bowlers struck regularly to keep Australia ‘A’ in sight of a victory over India ‘A’ at the end of day three’s play in the four-day red-ball match at the Kerrydale Oval on Saturday.

Maddy made an unbeaten 105 off 197 balls, her second ton of the ongoing multi-format series, as the wicketkeeper-batter lifted Australia A out of trouble to post 260 in the second innings, with India ‘A’ captain Minnu Mani taking 6-92 after clinching figures of 5-58 in the first essay. In reply, India ‘A’ made 149/6 at stumps, and need 140 more runs to clinch a win.

Australia ‘A’ resumed day three with a lead of 192 runs, but lost Lilly Mills as Minnu castled her. But Grace Parsons (35) stitched a ninth-wicket stand of 75 with Maddy to take Australia ‘A’ lead past 200. Though Grace was castled by Sayali Satghare, Nicola Hancock hanged around for Maddy to get her century, before being taken out by Priya Mishra to end Australia ‘A’ innings at 260 in 92 overs.