Attacking India take complete control

India Emerging Players reached an excellent position to force an innings win over Australian Institute of Sport at Endeavour Park No.2 in Townsville.

Overnight batsmen Ajinkya Rahane and Ashok Menaria notched up centuries to take India into the lead and the rest of the top and middle order also cashed in. A series of useful partnerships and an attacking century from Saurabh Tiwary helped bat AIS out of the game. Manoj Tiwary made 59 off 62 balls, smashing five sixes. Once Rahane and he were dismissed, Saurabh stepped up with Manish Pandey in a dominating stand. Saurabh struck 14 fours and seven sixes in his 151 off 148 balls while Pandey's 66 came off 50 balls, a knock laced with six sixes. The AIS bowlers struggled to contain the runs and were only able to bowl out India after conceding a lead of 229.

Captain Ryan Carters put up a fight in the second innings as his team tried to save the game, remaining unbeaten on 56, but lost two partners before the close. AIS ended the day on 93 for 2, still 136 adrift.

In a match dominated by the bat so far, South Africa Emerging Players held the advantage at the end of the second day against New Zealand A at Endeavour Park in Townsville. After New Zealand had racked up 382 for 7, opener Reeza Hendricks and No.4 batsman Farhaan Behardien went about leading South Africa's reply. The pair came together at 101 for 2 and added 225 for the third wicket, scoring centuries along the way. Hendricks remained unbeaten on 184, striking 14 fours and seven sixes while Behardien also dealt in boundaries with six sixes in his 116. Behardien was bowled by seamer Brent Arnel, the most economical of New Zealand's bowlers, but South Africa reached 374 for 3 at stumps, just eight runs behind what New Zealand managed.