Jason Sangha has given his Test prospects a massive boost after striking an unbeaten double century for Australia A in their drawn first-class clash with Sri Lanka A in Darwin.
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See subscription optionsIn reply to Sri Lanka's dominant 6-485 declared, Sangha posted 202no off 379 balls as Australia A reached a monster 4-558 before the game was declared a draw on the cusp of tea on day four.
Opener Jake Weatherald (183) led the way for the hosts on Tuesday in a knock that gave his own Test hopes a boost.
But it was the Sangha show on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old began the day unbeaten on 121, and the skipper continued to pile on the pain on the way to his maiden double century in first-class cricket.
Sangha's previous highest score in first-class cricket was 151, but he blew that away on the batter-friendly deck at the Marrara Cricket Ground.
Only 10 wickets fell across the four days, with the two-match series finishing in a dull 0-0 draw.
Sangha's star is well and truly on the rise.
He struck an unbeaten 126 to lead South Australia to a tense four-wicket victory in last season's Sheffield Shield final against Queensland, helping the Redbacks break a 29-year title drought.
Sangha averaged 78.2 across six Shield games last season, and he looms as part of generation next for the Australian Test team.
Eighteen-year-old Oliver Peake is also part of that next generation, with his 92 off 178 balls against Sri Lanka A on Wednesday further showcasing his talents.
It came after Peake scored an unbeaten 55 off just 38 balls during Australia A's series-opening one-day win over Sri Lanka A on July 4.
Meanwhile, Weatherald's century on Tuesday came at the perfect time, with the opener a real chance to be called up into the Test arena for this summer's Ashes if he can keep his form going.
Australia's current opening pairing of Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas flopped badly in the recent Test series against the West Indies, raising questions about whether it's time to inject Weatherald.
Weatherald led the Shield run charts last season with 906 runs at an average of 50.3, and his scores of 54 and 183 across his two first-class hitouts against Sri Lanka A will further bolster his cause.
Australian Associated Press
