Tom Haines century lead England Lions after Karun Nair's double ton powers India A to 557
Tom Haines. (PIC - X)
New Delhi: Sussex opener Tom Haines spearheaded a determined England Lions counterattack with a calm century following Karun Nair's brilliant double hundred that took India A to a massive 557 on the second day of the four-day unofficial Test here on Saturday.
At stumps, the Lions were 237/2 in 52 overs, as the compact left-hander Haines held up the innings with an unbeaten 103 (147 balls). They are still behind India A by 320 runs.
He scored his 15th first-class century late in the day, taking it to 138 balls with 11 fours.
Following the early departure of Ben McKinney (16), who was bowled by seamer Anshul Kamboj in the sixth over, Haines,
one of the most technically sound and consistent opening batsmen of English domestic cricket, took the reins.
Kamboj impressed in his first spell, bowling around both ways and being generally in control.
Haines was then accompanied by fellow left-hand Emilio Gay, and the two stabilized the innings through a good 109-run stand that lasted through the entire second session.
Gay, who appeared fluent throughout his innings, missed a half-century by mere runs, getting out for 46 after facing 90 deliveries and hitting eight fours.
He was sent packing by left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, who snapped the menacing partnership as India A were just starting to feel the heat.
Max Holden then came with Haines and played with a positive attitude, scoring an energetic 64 of only 61 balls, studded with eight fours and one six.
The pair added 106-run stand and helped the Lions close the day on a good note.
India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran employed as many as six bowlers in a bid to disrupt the Lions' rhythm, but neither Haines nor Holden presented any opportunities, exhibiting calm and attacking sensibility in equal amounts.
Earlier in the day, Karun, back at the Indian Test management after eight years, showed his class with a breathtaking 204 off 281 balls, 26 boundaries and a six after India A came out to bat again at 409/3 overnight.
Karun, who had come out to bat overnight at 186, completed his 200 off 272 balls with a four over covers off pacer Eddie Jack.
But India lost two early wickets of overnight batsman Dhruv Jurel (94) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (7). Karun and Jurel put on 195 runs for the fourth wicket before the latter was out.
Karun also could not carry on for long after completing his double hundred, glancing an in-coming ball by pacer Zaman Akhter to stumper James Rew.
Once Karun was sent packing, the Lions pacers rained blows on the rest of the India A line-up.
Brief scores: India A: 557 all out in 125.1 overs (Karun Nair 204, Dhruv Jurel 94, Sarfaraz Khan 92; Josh Hull 3/72, Zaman Akhter 3/73) vs England Lions: 237/2 in 52 overs (Tom Haines 103 batting, Max Holden batting 64, Emilio Gay 46).
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