Hughes slams ton on rainy day, match ends in a draw

India ‘A’ bowlers were at the receiving end of some commanding batting from Australia ‘A’ on a rain-hit Day 4 as the second and final unofficial Test match ended in a draw at the Allan Border Field, here on Wednesday. Starting on their overnight score of nought, Aussie openers Phillip Hughes (100*) and Alex Doolan (91*) took the hosts to 202 for no loss after only 50 overs were possible due to rains.

Hughes registered his 26th first-class century with the help of 16 fours and a six, while Doolan managed his 21st first-class fifty, laced with 13 fours and a six. Pace spearhead Umesh Yadav, who bagged a fifer in the first innings and scored a 90 coming in at No.10, looked out of sorts and conceded 75 runs in his 13 overs. Medium-pacer Jasprit Bumrah, off-spinner Baba Aparajith and right-arm medium Anureet Singh also went wicketless on a day when the Indian bowlers struggled for line and length. Manoj Tiwary-led India ‘A’, though, had its moments during the four-day encounter with the team posting 501 in response to Australia’s first innings score of 423. Naman Ojha struck his third century in as many innings to provide the necessary philip to the batting order. Ojha had scored a double century and a ton in the two innings in the first unofficial Test.