Samarth scores unbeaten fifty as rain ends 2nd Unofficial Test in a draw

India A vs New Zealand A: Young Karnataka batsman Ravikumar Samarth's unbeaten half-century was the only highlight for India A in their rain-affected second 'unofficial Test' against New Zealand A, which ended in a draw.

Consistent rain meant India A could only bat for 46 overs as the 2^nd Unofficial Test against New Zealand A ended in a dull draw at Hamilton.

Only one innings could be completed that too after New Zealand had declared for 303 for 7 in their first innings in the four-day affair. The second day was completely washed out.

In the limited overs that they did get to bat, India A batters impressed a lot. India A reached 159 for 2 when captains decided to shake hands. Young Karnataka batsman Ravikumar Samarth slammed an unbeaten half-century after openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and Mayanka Agarwal had given India A flying start. Easwaran, who scored 47, added 74 runs with Agarwal in 21 overs.

Agarwal was the dominant of the duo hitting seven fours before being caught by 'keeper Glenn Phillips off medium pacer Seth Rance's bowling for 42.

Samarth scored 50 off 83 balls. Easwaran and Samarth added another 50 runs for the second wicket as the Bengal opener was unable to keep the scoreboard ticking during his near four-hour knock.

He batted for 231 minutes, faced 109 balls, hitting six fours in the process before being sent back by pacer Blair Tickner nicking to Phillips behind stumps.

Brief Scores

New Zealand A 1st Innings 303/7 decl (Will Young 123, Mohd Siraj 4/59)

India A 1st Innings 159/2 (Ravikumar Samarth 50 no, Abhimayu Easwaran 47, Mayank Agarwal 42).