Jason Sangha makes big Test credentials with double ton as Ollie Peake made 92 for Australia A as the two-match series ends in draw.
Jason Sangha’s undefeated double century for Australia A in their first-class match against Sri Lanka A in Darwin has greatly improved his chances of playing in Test matches in the future.
Australia A reached an incredible 558 for 4 when the match was ruled a draw on the eve of tea on day four, with Sangha scoring 202 not out off 379 balls in response to Sri Lanka’s commanding 485 for 6. Over the four days, just ten wickets were lost, and the two-match series ended in a drab 0-0 tie.
In just his second first-class match, 18-year-old Oliver Peake scored 92 off 178 balls and shared a 165-run partnership with Sangha, demonstrating that he could also be a member of Australia’s next generation of Test players. In a knock that boosted his own Test hopes ahead of the Ashes, opener Jake Weatherald (183) led the way for the hosts on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, however, it was the Jason Sangha show. The captain continued to add to the suffering as he reached his first-ever double-century in first-class cricket. The 25-year-old started the day undefeated at 121. On the batter-friendly deck at the Marrara Cricket Ground, Sangha blew away his previous best score of 151 in first-class cricket.
The fame of Sangha is definitely rising. He helped his team end a 29-year drought by hitting an undefeated 126 to lead South Australia to a thrilling four-wicket triumph over Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final last season.
With three hundreds in his last five first-class innings, Sangha, who averaged 78.20 in six Shield matches last season, is a key member of the Australian Test team’s upcoming generation. Peake, who only made his first-class debut for Victoria in March, added his name to that mix as well, coming within eight runs of his first-ever first-class century. Peake struck an undefeated 55 off just 38 balls in Australia A’s series-opening one-day victory over Sri Lanka A on July 4 before reaching 92.