New Zealand A vs India A, 2nd Unofficial Test, Day 4, Review: Rain forces a tame draw

The second unofficial Test match between New Zealand A and India A has also been ended in a draw thanks to the persistent rain at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. Both the teams couldn’t even bat their whole first innings with only 152 overs of play possible over the course of four days. The hosts had declared on 303/7 in 106 overs but it never looked like the result will be possible in the game as the three-match series continues to be a level terms.

A total of 45 overs was possible on the final day as the Kiwis had declared their innings yesterday and India A openers had to see out only a solitary over. However, Mayank Agarwal and Abhimanyu Easwaran resumed and added 74 runs for the first wicket. The former in particular was aggressive as he collected seven fours during his 42-run knock.

Blair Tickner snaffled him after an impressive outing. Meanwhile, Eswaran continued to play the same well and concentrated on not giving away his wicket. He was joined by Ravikumar Samarth and the duo played with not much discomfort. Moreover, the result of the game was a foregone conclusion which led to them batting with no pressure whatsoever.

Samarth slams half-century

While Easwaran continued to play a dogged knock, his partner Samarth played calculated shots and slammed a half-century of 83 deliveries. He looked assured during his stay in the middle and remained unbeaten until the end. Frequent rain interruptions during the day’s play didn’t frustrate the India A batsmen. Though Easwaran missed out on a well deserved fifty as he was dismissed by Seth Rance by hurrying with his raw pace on 47 off 109 balls.

At 159/2, soon after Samarth reached his fifty, the captains of both the teams decided to call it day as there was no point to keep on playing with no result possible. Karun Nair remained not-out on 8 off 33 balls as the series will now be decided in the final game which will be played from November 30 at Cobham Oval in Whangerai.

Brief Scores

New Zealand A 303/7decl after 106 overs (W Young 123; M Siraj 4/59)

India A 159/2 after 46 overs (R Samarth 50*, A Easwaran 47; B Tickner 1/35)

Result: Draw

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