Australia-BP XI match ends in tame draw

CHANDIGARH - The three-day warmup match between the visiting Australian cricket team and the Indian Board President’s XI ended in a tame draw at the Sector 16 cricket stadium here Monday.

Australia declared their second innings at 187 for six Monday afternoon and gave India a target of 516 runs. India, who were all out for 177 in their first innings in response to Australia’s 505 declared, finished at 174 for no loss. Ajinkya Rahane remained unbeaten at 113 and Cheteswar Pujara 52.

Earlier, opener Shane Watson, who had hit a century in the first innings, followed it up with another century (104 not out) in the second innings. Spinner Piyush Chawla took three Australian wickets in their second innings.

The BP-XI side, which was bundled out for just 177 runs Monday morning in their first innings, fared better in the second.

Rahane’s 113 came in 111 balls. This included 18 fours and a six. His opening partner Shikhar Dhawan retired hurt, scoring five runs.

Pujara, who had failed to impress in the first innings of the BP-XI, remained unbeaten on 52 runs in the second innings. Pujara has been included in the Test squad that plays two Tests against Australia next month.

BP-XI skipper Gautam Gambhir, who scored only eight runs in the first innings, did not come out to bat in the second innings owing to a minor injury.

Australian fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus ran through the BP-XI innings with a haul of five wickets, including that of the host side skipper Gambhir (8). Bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Peter George bagged two wickets each.

Resuming their innings Monday, after tottering at 143 for six at the close of the second day’s play, the BP-XI side lasted for only 10.5 overs. The side was bowled out for 177 runs Monday morning in their first innings.

Chawla, who was the only batsman to put up a fight and was caught for 82 runs.