By Keith Graham
First day of three: Scotland (66-4) trail Australia A (351-3 dec) by 285 runs
AUSTRALIA A accepted Scotland's invitation to take first use of a slow Grange wicket and promptly gave a lacklustre Scottish attack a thorough mauling. The tourists' captain, Mike Di Venuto, helped himself to a century and opener Dene Hills also reached three figures.
Such a display of aggressive strokeplay exposed the considerable gap in ability and experience. Australia declared at 351 for three then turned the screw by reducing Scotland to 66 for four when bad light stopped play with three overs to go.
Matthew Hayden and Hills took little time to adjust to the slow pace of the wicket and Hayden pulled Pete Steindl's second ball to the boundary in front of square. In the medium pacer's next over, he rifled the ball either side of mid-off for two more boundaries.
The introduction of Keith Sheridan's left-arm spin demanded respect but both batsmen were quick to exploit the open spaces on the leg-side and behind the bowler. Greig Williamson, having been carved away for three fours in his first over, switched ends and induced Hayden to play on off an inside edge just after the batsman had reached his half-century, with 89 on the board.
Hills, continuing to heave anything short to the leg-side boundary, quickly moved past fifty and the tourists went into lunch at 122 for one.
Di Venuto survived a confident appeal for a catch behind off Steindl soon after lunch then raced to a half-century in 77 balls. The hundred partnership followed and with the Scottish attack struggling to find consistency, the run rate rose to around four an over.
Hills reached his century off 165 balls and went on to make 118 with 14 fours and a six before being caught by George Salmond on the mid-wicket boundary. Di Venuto reached his century immediately after tea and the declaration came when he was out for 138, holing out to wide long-on.
Scotland's Bryn Lockie was lbw to Adam Dale with six on the board and Hills took catches at short-leg off Jason Gillespie to dismiss Iain Philip and Salmond. Brendon Julian bowled Dougie Lockhart. Scotland have much work to do today.
Scotland's Under-19s beat Glamorgan on first-innings advantage at Monmouth. The visitors were all out for 208 after bowling the Welshmen out for just 47 on the opening day. Glamorgan made a second-innings 220 for eight.
TOUR MATCH: Australia A 351-3 dec (M Di Venuto 138, D Hills 118, M Hayden 50), Scotland 66-4 (Gillespie 2-20).
Day 2: Tail restores pride but Australians take control
Second day of three: Scotland (172) trail Australia A (351-3 & 214-5) by 393 runs
AUSTRALIA'S powerful second string again dominated on the second day of the first mini-Test against Scotland at the Grange Club, Edinburgh, and are firm favourites to force a win after building an unassailable lead.
A spirited fightback by the later Scottish batsmen salvaged some pride yesterday morning although Scotland suffered two immediate set-backs when play resumed, losing Ian Stanger and Greig Williamson in advancing their overnight score of 66 for four to 93 for six, Stanger edging Adam Dale to Ryan Campbell and Williamson well taken at third slip by Brad Young off Brendon Julian.
Mike Allingham and Alec Davies stood firm, defending stoutly against an attack bereft of Jason Gillespie, unable to take the field because of a strained groin.
Dale and Colin Miller found the conditions conducive to swing and both batsmen played and missed a good deal but stuck to their task well, although never really breaking free. Allingham chanced his arm a couple of times, thumping one straight four but miscueing another attempt and was fortunate to clear wide mid-on.
Their stand came to an end when Miller moved one back sharply to Davies, the resulting inside edge brilliantly caught by the diving Campbell. They had added 40 for the seventh wicket. Davies scored 14 in 72 minutes but then Allingham immediately perished when he went to hit left-arm spinner Young over the top, missed and was stumped.
Scotland reached 172, a deficit of 179, but the tourists did not enforce the follow-on, deciding instead to give their batsmen some much needed practice.
Scotland's bowlers showed considerable improvement in the Australians' second innings, Butt again impressing and exploiting the conditions, swinging the ball considerably to beat the bat of Andrew Symonds and Campbell on several occasions, but the Scots will be chasing a big total today, Australia A finishing the day 393 ahead with Damien Martyn 60 not out.
Day 3: Rock-solid Philip foils Australians
By Keith Graham
Final day of three: Scotland (172 & 85-5) drew with Australia A (351-3d & 214-5d)
PERSISTENT rain and a resolute unbeaten half-century from Scotland veteran Iain Philip denied Australia's reserve side the victory which had seemed increasingly certain as home wickets fell at regular intervals during yesterday morning's play.
The tourists had delayed the announcement of their declaration until shortly before the start of play leading to a somewhat bizarre delay of 10 minutes before Scotland could begin their second innings. But the Australians did not have to wait long before making the first breakthrough when Bryn Lockie was trapped lbw by Brendon Julian for his second duck of the game.
Worse was to follow when Adam Dale lured Douglas Lockhart into chasing a wide ball to give Ryan Campbell a catch behind with only five on the board.
Philip took the score on to 30 at which point he lost his captain, George Salmond, to another beautiful outswinger from Dale.
Mike Allingham helped guide the Scots past 50 before he was trapped lbw, Dale again the bowler, and Ian Stanger was quickly fell to Colin Miller.
But Philip was defiant, hitting a splendid half century before the umpires abandoned the match just before 4pm.
The sides now go to Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow, tomorrow for a one-day game.
Australia A 351-3d & 214-5d, Scotland 172 & 85-5 (I Philip 50 no, Dale 3-29) match drawn.