Cameron Bancroft helps Australia A pull off tight chase against India A in opening four-day fixture

Brisbane: Indian bowlers’ efforts at making a match of it went in vain as Australia A pulled off a three-wicket win in a tight chase on the fourth and final day of the first four-day Quadrangular A series game at the AB Field in Brisbane on Sunday. Despite a delayed start to the day due to a wet outfield following heavy rain, the hosts chased down the 159-run target set by India A on Saturday. Opener Cameron Bancroft top scored with an unbeaten 58 off 151 balls to seal the win for Australia. Bancroft’s knock was laced with half a dozen fours. [caption id=“attachment_2999866” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Cameron Bancroft. Getty Images[/caption] Beau Webster returned to the crease on Sunday with Bancroft, scoring 30 off 87 balls, before being trapped lbw by Varun Aaron. Play was abandoned on Saturday due to rain with Australia A, requiring 100 runs to secure a victory and six wickets still in hand. Earlier on day three, the hosts bowled India A out for 156 to end their second innings just before the lunch break. Australia’s three pace bowlers (David Moody, Chadd Sayers and Daniel Worrall) snared three wickets each, with Mitch Swepson grabbing the other to accumulate five for the match. For India, Shardul Thakur picked up three wickets, while Aaron chipped in with two scalps. Australia A captain Peter Handscomb was named Player of the Match following his first innings performance of 87 runs off 93 balls. The second four-day match will commence at AB Field in Brisbane on Thursday.