Australia bundle out Indian Board President’s-XI for 177 runs

CHANDIGARH - Visitors Australia Monday bundled out the Indian Board President’s XI team for just 177 runs, amassing a lead of 328 runs over the home side on the third and last day of the three-day warm up match between both sides at the Sector 16 cricket stadium here.

Fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus ran through the BP-XI innings with a haul of five wickets, including that of the host side skipper Gautam Gambhir (8 runs). Bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Peter George bagged two wickets each.

Resuming their innings Monday after tottering at 143 for six wickets at the close of the second day’s play, the BP-XI side lasted for only 10.5 overs. The side was bowled out for 177 runs Monday morning in their first innings.

Piyush Chawla, who was the only batsman to put up a fight against the Aussies, was caught at the score of 82 runs Monday morning.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been included in the Indian test team by the selectors, failed to impress. He scored only nine runs.

The Australian side had earlier Sunday declared their innings at 505 for eight wickets. The innings included centuries by openers Simon Katich (14, retired hurt) and Shane Watson (115) and Marcus North (124 not out).

The BP-XI side includes three Indian test side players - Gautam Gambhir, Pujara and fast bowler S. Sreesanth.

The Indian bowlers had failed to make a dent into the Australian batting on the first day of the warm up game with Australia comfortably placed at 319 for the loss of one wicket.

In their second innings, the Australian side were 23 runs for the loss of captain Ricky Ponting’s wicket.