Sussex opener Tom Haines led a spirited England Lions response with a composed century after Karun Nair’s masterful double hundred lifted India A to a massive 557. Sussex opener Tom Haines led a spirited England Lions response with a composed century after Karun Nair’s masterful double hundred lifted India A to a massive 557 on the second day of the four-day unofficial Test at Canterbury, England on Saturday.
At stumps, the Lions totalled 237/2 in 52 overs, with the diminutive left-hander Haines supporting the innings with an unbeaten 103 (147 balls). They remain 320 runs behind India A. He completed his 15th first-class century late in the afternoon, taking it to 138 balls for 11 boundaries. Following the early wicket of Ben McKinney (16), who was mopped up by seamer Anshul Kamboj in the sixth over, Haines, arguably one of the most technically solid and consistent opening batsmen in English domestic cricket, assumed charge of the innings.
Haines was then accompanied by left-hander Emilio Gay, and the two nursed the innings with a hard-worked 109-run stand that lasted through the entire second session. Gay, who appeared fluent throughout his visit, fell short of a half-century by a single run, making 46 off 90 balls and hitting eight fours.
He was caught out by left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, who disrupted the ominous stand just when India A was starting to feel the heat. Max Holden later came in and played with an aggressive mindset and made a cracking 64 off merely 61 balls, dotted with eight fours and a six.
The pair batted a 106-run partnership and saw the Lions close the day in style. India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran utilized as many as six bowlers in a bid to disrupt the flow of the Lions, but neither Holden nor Haines provided any opportunities, displaying composure and aggressive intent in equal measure.
Earlier in the day, Karun, back at the Indian Test contingent after eight years, showed his class with a majestic 204 off 281 balls, with 26 boundaries and a six after India A came out to bat again on the overnight 409/3. Karun, who had overnight been on 186, completed his 200 off 272 balls with a four over covers off pacer Eddie Jack.
