India 'A' settle for drab draw

Manprit Juneja missed out on a well-deserved double hundred by only seven runs while the New Zealand ‘A’ top-order got some much-needed batting practise against India ‘A’ bowlers as the second unofficial ‘Test’ between the two sides ended in a predictable draw.

In reply to New Zealand’s first innings score of 437, Indians finished their first innings seven runs short at 430. In the second innings, the Kiwis finished at 176 for three in 51.2 overs as the umpires decided to call off the match after taking consent of the two skippers. In all 62.5 overs of play was held on the final day.

The honours were shared as both the Test matches failed to yield any positive outcome for either of the two teams.

The only interest in final day’s play was whether young Juneja (193, 362 balls, 20x4, 1x6) would get to score his second first-class double hundred but seamer Mark Gillespie (4/80 from 29.3 overs) dismissed him caught by Corey Anderson.

Resuming the day at 408 for seven, India added 22 more runs with Juneja scoring 15 off them. But Gillespie used his slower delivery to good effect as Dhawal Kulkarni (10) was caught and bowled. Juneja was the next man out, while Imtiaz Ahmed was also castled by him as he finished with four wickets in the match.

Brief scores: New Zealand ‘A’: 437 all out and 176/3 in 51.2 overs (Tom Latham 61, Carl Cachopa 76; Rakesh Dhurv 2-45) drew India ‘A’: 430 all out in 135.3 overs (Manprit Juneja 193, Vasudevan Jagadeesh 91, Abhishek Nayar 58; Mark Gillespie 4-80, Doug Bracewell 3-88).