WHANGAREI, New Zealand: India’s under-fire batting line-up gained valuable match practice yesterday as the tourists’ two-day Test warm-up against a New Zealand XI ended in a draw.
India declared at 313 for seven on day two in response to the hosts’ 262 for nine declared, with wicketkeeper-batsman Ambati Rayudu unbeaten on 49 after Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane retired on 59 and 60 respectively.
All-rounder Ravi Ashwin also made a good start before Shawn Hicks bowled him for 46 in encouraging signs for an Indian line up that failed to shine with the bat in a 4-0 one-day international series loss to the Black Caps.
The first of two Tests between New Zealand and India starts in Auckland on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Australia’s only warm-up fixture ahead of the three-match Test series against South Africa has been cancelled after torrential rain in Potchefstroom left little chance of play.
The four-day match against a South African Invitational XI was due to be played between today to Saturday, but with conditions unlikely to improve in the coming days, Australia have opted instead for more nets.
“Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Cricket Australia (CA) have reached a collaborative decision to cancel Australia’s four-day warm-up match against a South Africa Invitational XI scheduled from 5-8 February in Potchefstroom,” CSA said in a statement yesterday.
Agencies
