20 November,2018 09:08 AM IST | Mount Maunganui (NZ) | PTI
Murali Vijay
Australia-bound Test specialists -- veteran Murali Vijay and youngsters Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari -- helped themselves to half-centuries on the final day of India A's first unofficial 'Test' against New Zealand A, which ended in a tame draw.
India A scored 247 for 3 in 65 overs in their second innings when the match was called off. However, openers Shaw (50, 53 balls) and Vijay (60, 113 balls) got good enough match time as they added 74 runs for the first wicket, largely due to the contribution of the young Mumbaikar, who hit eight fours and a six.
Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (41 no, 94 balls) and Vihari (51 no, 63 balls) added 86 runs for an unbroken fourth-wicket stand. On the final day with little chance of a result, the two seniors Vijay and Rahane put their heads down and showed a lot of application.
Young Shaw didn't last long as he was out soon after completing his second century of the match. Shaw was caught by Will Young off Doug Bracewell's delivery. In-form Mayank Agarwal (42) then joined Vijay and the duo added 81 runs for the second wicket with Agarwal being the aggressor. The Karnataka right-hander hit six boundaries and a six.
ALSO READ
Intense showdown looms as India take on NZ-W with sights set on ODI WC
New Zealand's Amelia Kerr rise in latest ICC T20I Bowling Rankings
Mitchell Santner named New Zealand's interim captain for SL white-ball series
'Should take it in right spirit': Ex-Mumbai coach Pandit on Shaw's omission
India's middle order conundrum: Sarfaraz Khan vs KL Rahul - who fits the bill?
Blair Tickner got rid of Agarwal, breaching through the defence, and Vijay soon followed, offering a catch to Theo van Woerkom. Rahane and Vihari then batted out the next 25 overs with minimum fuss. Vihari, in fact, was comparatively more aggressive with three fours and three sixes in only 63 balls as the match meandered towards a draw.
Catch up on all the latest T20 news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
