Mukesh Kumar is standing outside, Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy still wicketless

Batters continue to enjoy their time in the middle of Canterbury. After the third day of the India A vs England Lions 1st unofficial Test, just 17 wickets have fallen and over 1084 runs have been scored. The game was evenly balanced after the second day. The Lions had scored big with the loss of just two wickets.

And on what seemed like a pretty lifeless track, the Lions continued to tire India A bowlers. Much like yesterday, the visitors were sloppy in the field. Dhruv Jurel dropped another straightforward chance. This time the batter was Max Holden and Harshit Rana was the bowler. It didn’t hurt India A much, as Holden departed for 101.

Mukesh Kumar shines

Mukesh Kumar, who had been India A’s worst bowler yesterday, didn’t start the day well. But he was the one who got Holden. And then James Rew and Rehan Ahmed as well. All of a sudden, the score went from 312/2 to 326/5. Lunch was taken soon, and India A was ahead.

But no wickets fell in the second session. Tom Haines got to 167 and Dan Mosley was at 48. Such was the pitch that India A bowler couldn’t keep the batters leashed. Shardul Thakur got his first wicket after dismissing Haines for 171, but Mosley continued, and Zaman Akhter kept a tight lid as well.

Karun Nair gets a wicket

The issue for India A was that Harsh Dubey wasn’t economical at all. The left-arm orthodox spinner bowled the most overs, 25 but was the most expensive as well, with a 5.20 economy. On top of this, Harshit and Nitish Kumar Reddy weren’t great either. Harshit bowled better than yesterday, and a catch was dropped off him as well, but Nitish lacked control.

Luckily for India A, Karun Nair got the wicket of Mousley after he scored 113 runs and stumps were called. They both played out the final session and Lions ended the third day with a 30-run trail. It’s safe to expect they’ll take a lead tomorrow and in all likelihood, the match will end in a draw.