Callum Ferguson and Adam Zampa rally Australia after Karn Sharma strikes
Australia 'A' batsmen again showed their prowess in tackling spin on a difficult track as they comfortably beat India by three wickets to enter the final of the tri-series tournament, in Chennai, on Monday.
Having won all the three matches they played thus far in the tournament, they will play either India 'A' or South Africa 'A' in the final, slated for August 14.
Chasing 259 for victory on a slow track that was offering some turn, Australia were reduced 178 for six at one stage before the experienced Callum Ferguson (45 not out) and young Adam Zampa (54 off 49 balls) added 80 runs for the seventh wicket in 13.3 overs to take them to the final.
Karn Sharma gave an improved account of himself on the day as he kept India in the game till the 35th over with impressive figures of 3-45.
However, it was the Ferguson-Zampa partnership that sealed the match, which seemed like slipping out of Australia A's grip at one stage.
Zampa hit seven fours and a big six off Axar Patel over long-on. While the baby-faced leg-spinner attacked the bowling, senior pro Ferguson decided to drop anchor as he rotated the strike well during his 63-ball-45.
The Indian seam trio of Dhawal Kulkarni (0-39 off 5 overs), Sandeep Sharma (1-43 off 7 overs) and Rishi Dhawan (1-38 in 7.3 overs) hardly posed any threat to the batsmen on a docile track. Their change of pace was predictable as the opposition batsmen read them easily.
It was Karn who asked a few probing questions with his leg-breaks and flippers. In the space of two overs he removed Matthew Wade with a flighted delivery that had the batsman bowled through the gate. Karun Nair then bowled a sharp off-break to get rid of Ashton Agar, who was smartly stumped by Sanju Samson.
But Zampa and Ferguson had other ideas as they steered the team home.
Earlier, India 'A' put up 258 for nine in 50 overs primarily due to in-form Mayank Agarwal's run-a-ball 61 that had seven fours and a six and Manish Pandey's gritty 50.
Pandey should be lauded for his effort as he survived a gash on his cheek, which required a couple of stitches after he collided with opposition glovesman Wade while taking a run.
Pandey retired hurt for some time and returned after the fall of the fifth wicket.
Down the order, Rishi Dhawan's 23-ball-26 helped India cross the 250-run mark.
Agar was the mot impressive Australian bowler, finishing his ten overs with five wickets for 39 runs.
