Australian selectors are still no closer to resolving their opening vacancy at the end of Day 2 of Australia A’s match against India A.

Beginning the day on 29 not out, captain Nathan McSweeney looked well-poised to make the most of a golden opportunity and press his claim for the international gig – but departed after adding just 10 runs to his overnight tally.

Duo Cooper Connolly (37 runs off 60 balls) and Todd Murphy (33 off 47) each hit vital cameos to hand Australia an 88-run lead at the change of innings – but obviously, neither are the answer to the nation’s vacancy at the top of the order.

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MATCH CENTRE: Australia A vs India A scorecard

And while for a fleeting moment it looked like Marcus Harris, Sam Kostas and Cam Bancroft wouldn’t get a genuine second chance to redeem themselves again this match with India reeling early – the visitors finally found their feet thanks to Sai Sudharsan (96*) and Devdutt Padikkal (80*)

India A finished at 2/208 at stumps, now leading the Aussies by 120 runs.

Touring seamer Mukesh Kumar was the star bowler of Day 2, finishing Australia A’s innings with figures of 6/46, while teammate Prasidh Krishna himself with 3/59 from his 18 overs.

The match of Indian Test hopeful Ruturaj Gaikwad was nowhere near as fortunate though, edging to second slip for just five runs after a golden duck in the first dig.

And Gaikwad’s opening partner Abhimanyu Easwaran didn’t last much longer, running himself out after an excellent direct hit from Jordan Buckingham in front of the wicket on the leg side for 12.

Sudharsen and Padikkal did more than steady the ship however, putting on an unbeaten 178 runs for the third wicket.

AUSSIE OPENERS STATE OF PLAY

Secretly, Australia A’s top four of Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Cam Bancroft and Nathan McSweeney will collectively be taking a sigh of relief at India A’s stable second innings so far.

Importantly for the quartet, it almost certainly means that some, if not all of them will get a second chance to prove themselves fit to face India later this month.

While McSweeney (39 runs) and Harris (17) each got starts in the first innings, neither were able to go on with it and rank themselves higher than their counterparts.

Konstas and Bancroft each registered ducks on day one, although the latter was extremely unlucky to be given out caught down the leg side after not hitting it.

All in all, it still means that there’s a legitimate argument for all four players to be picked to play India at the time of writing – but no longer for the right reasons.

McSweeney’s top score of the four on face value might make it look like he is leading the race ever so slightly, but given he is still yet to open at domestic level – let alone international – you would think he needs at least one (but ideally two) triple-digit scores between now and November 22 for him to partner Usman Khawaja.

His 131-ball stay at the crease is absolutely noteworthy on a pitch that was evidently difficult for all to bat on, and should not be dismissed.

So if it’s not McSweeney at this stage, who is it? Unsurprisingly, but put bluntly, there still isn’t a standout contender.

Two scores of two and under in Konstas’ last three innings makes it quite hard to see him picked from here on in, particularly given his raw nature.

Bancroft has been cursed with the timing of his newfound opportunity to play for Australia, with his form over the last two domestic seasons nearly unmatched.

But that form, along with any sort of luck, seems to have disappeared entirely – and leaves him on paper, the most out-of-form out of the contenders.

And then there’s Harris, who seems to be in a middle ground between in-form, and trialled previously at international level.

Since his awesome knock of 143 to kick off the Sheffield Shield season, he has scored 52, 26, 16 and 17 at an average of 27.75 – not ideal.

That being said, if the squads were selected at the end of the second day’s play, it’s probably him who pips the other three contenders – but by the thinnest of margins.

YOUNG GUN SPEARHEAD UNDER INJURY CLOUD

While the pace attack for this summer is well and truly set between quintet Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland and Michael Neser – Australia A’s quicks this tour match have impressed.

One of which is South Australian seamer Jordan Buckingham, who has impressed for more than two seasons now since his move from Victoria.

After taking 2/18 off his 10 overs in India A’s first innings, Buckingham was his side’s most economical bowler in the second innings before pulling up lame at the end of his 10th over.

The 24-year-old grabbed at his back during his follow through to Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal, wincing in pain as he took his cap off the umpire before leaving the field of play.

Mackay local Mason Kohler came on to replace Buckingham at the back end of the day’s play.

With 74 first-class wickets next to his name, Buckingham is widely considered a promising prospect with a potential future at the top level.

Victorian Fergus O’Neill bowled well despite India A’s third-wicket partnership, while spinner Todd Murphy bowled without luck at times.

His South Australian teammate Brendan Doggett was the star of the show in the first innings, taking 6/15 off 11 overs.

THREE-TEST WONDER STUNS AUSSIE LINE-UP

He won’t be playing for Australia this summer, but he sure as hell could be playing against them.

India A’s Mukesh Kumar walked off at Great Barrier Reef Arena at the Day 2 lunch break with figures of 6/46, skyrocketing him into the visitors’ calculations ahead of the first Test.

The right-arm seamer’s scalps were predominately Australia A’s middle and lower-order, but he did send the likes of Sam Konstas, Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly and Josh Philippe walking; all very respectable batters in their own right.

At 31 years of age, Kumar has played three Test matches for India in the last 15 months – one each against the West Indies, South Africa and England.

His 48 first-class games and eight five-wicket hauls at the level bleed the experience India will need on foreign soil – and while he’s unlikely to start in Perth for the first match of the five-game series, it’s certainly food for thought for the BCCI and their selectors.

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