By IANS,
Hobart : A fine century from Tom Beaton helped Australia Under-19 post 306 for seven declared in their first innings against India on the opening day of their three-day match at the Bellerive Oval here Saturday.
At stumps, India were 18 for no loss with Mayank Aggarwal batting on six and Mannan Sharma on 12.
After electing to bat, the Australians were in a little trouble early after losing the first three wickets for 69 runs. But a solid 101-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Beaton (106) and Tim Armstrong (50) helped the colts put up a challenging total on the board. Down the order, Sean Abbott made a useful 51 not out combining with Adam Zampa (31 not out).
“It was good to get a few partnerships going. Me and Tim got a good one going through the second session and it was decent total at the end,” 17-year-old Beaton said.
Armstrong batted well for his half-century that included four boundaries. However, it was right-hander Beaton made the most of his opportunity as he went on to compile an excellent 106 from 155 deliveries in a knock that included 10 fours and two sixes, even bringing up his ton with a maximum over square-leg.
“It was good to get a few and felt awesome to be out there and especially the way it came up (with a six), I wasn’t expecting that with everyone in the ring,” Beaton said.
“Wickets fell a bit early so I just had to adjust and play a more mature role and work the ones and get the scoreboard ticking over.”
Although happy with his performance, Beaton said their was plenty of work to be done in the next two days of the match.
“We’ll get the two opening bowlers back on tomorrow morning and get them bowling nice and full and try to get them nicking and hopefully we get a few easy wickets,” said Beaton, who plays his club cricket for Mount Lawley.
“We’ll definitely be looking to get them out as early as possible and then go back out there and have another hit at some stage.”
For India, Manan Sharma was the pick of the bowlers snaring 2-47, while Jaidev Unadkad chipped in with 2-51.