India A vs Australia warm-up match Day 1: Steven Smith, David Warner get starts; Navdeep Saini claims 2 wickets

Australia were 81 for 2 at lunch on the first day of their tour match against India A captained by Hardik Pandya, at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.

Australia were 81 for 2 at lunch on the first day of their tour match against India A captained by Hardik Pandya, at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. Steven Smith was batting on 31 not out, accompanied by Shaun Marsh at 6 not out as Australia lost their openers earlier in the day. Invited to bat first after they lost the toss, Australia would not mind being in this position since all of their batsmen have been able to spend considerable amount of time in the middle which was their topmost priority going into this contest. However, Navdeep Saini troubled the visitors with a measly spell featuring two wickets. Interestingly, Australia did not include Usman Khawaja in their playing XI.

Since there was no Khawaja, Australia captain Smith walked out to bat at No. 3. He was in early, in the first session, as David Warner was dismissed in the ninth over of the day. Warner was brisk as always, announcing himself for the first time on this tour with a flurry of boundaries early on. The wicket at the Brabourne Stadium had plenty of grass, and which is why India A were interested to bowl first. India A sent down 24 overs in the first session, mostly by the fast bowlers as spin was introduced right before the lunch break.

Navdeep Saini was the pick among the India A bowlers as he claimed both the wickets that fell in the first session. He had Warner caught behind for a 30-ball 25, studded with 4 boundaries. Saini struck once again in the 17th over of the innings when he had Matthew Renshaw caught behind for a 41-ball 11. Saini had the figures of 6-2-13-2.

Brief scores:

Australia 81 for 2 (David Warner 25, Steven Smith 31*; Navdeep Saini 2 for 13) vs India A.