Miller leads Australia fightback in India

Off-spinner Colin Miller led an Australian fightback by taking six wickets to restrict India A's lead on the second day of their three-day game on Sunday.

The 37-year-old Miller returned figures of six for 90 as the visitors dismissed India for 368 in reply to Australia's 291.

At stumps in their second innings Australia were 39 for one having lost Michael Slater for 11.

India A seemed destined for a much higher total as the Australians were put to the sword by left-handed opener Sadagopan Ramesh (101) and Vangipurappu Laxman (94) in a 195-run second wicket partnership.

India had reached 231 for one before a sudden collapse saw them lose four wickets for just one more run.

But a superb unbeaten 71 by Nayan Mongia saw them overhaul Australia's total and establish a 77-run lead.

The collpase began when Ramesh was caught behind off Jason Gillespie.

The left-hander, tipped to open for India in the first Test starting on February 27 in Bombay, struck 20 fours in his 158-ball innings.

Left-hander Dinesh Mongia was the next to go, for a duck, when he was caught behind to give Miller the first of his five wickets in the session.

Gillespie took his second wicket when Laxman was superbly caught by a diving Steve Waugh in the covers. Laxman had hit 17 boundaries.

Hemang Badani was also dismissed without scoring, caught in the slips off Miller by substitute fielder Mark Waugh.

Miller picked up his third wicket when Damien Fleming took a well-judged skier at long-on to dismiss left-hander Balaji Rao for six. The off-spinner then had Harbhajan Singh stumped by Adam Gilchrist for 12.

Miller bagged his fifth wicket when he trapped Rahul Sanghvi lbw for one as India A were reduced to 287 for eight.

But Mongia, looking for a test recall, halted the slide as he struck 11 fours in his 71.

He was well supported by Debasish Mohanty, whose 28 included three fours and a giant six over long-on off Miller.

Australia's Slater, who made only five in the first innings, failed again as he was dismissed by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to a sharp catch by Balaji Rao at short mid-wicket.

Matthew Hayden (20) and Justin Langer (0) were not out at close of play.

Images from the game

Scoreboard:
Australian 1st innings: 291 all out
India 'A' 1st innings:
S S Das run out 12
S Ramesh c Gilchrist b Gillespie 101
V V S Laxman c S Waugh b Gillespie 94
D Mongia c Gilchrist b Miller 0
H Badani c sub (M Waugh) b Miller 0
N Mongia not out 71
W D B Rao c Fleming b Miller 6
H Singh st Gilchrist b Miller 12
R Sanghvi lbw b Miller 1
D Mohanty c Slater b Miller 28
A Nehra c Slater b Kasprowicz 4

Extras (b-13, lb-10, nb-15, w-1) 39

Total (all out in 97.4 overs) 368

Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-231, 3-232, 4-232, 5-232, 6-264, 7-281, 8-287, 9-362.
Bowling: Gillespie 19-8-55-2
Fleming 21-4-74-0
Miller 32-10-90-6
Kasprowicz 22.4-2-103-1
Ponting 3-0-23-0
Australia 2nd Innings: 39/1 off 8 overs.

Mail Cricket Editor