WAYANAD, Aug 21: Talented Karnataka batsman Karun Nair�s patient hundred ensured a hard-earned draw for India A against South Africa A in the first unofficial cricket �Test� here today.
Chasing a mammoth victory target of 444, the hosts were happy to bat out the day as they ended at 309 for four when the umpires decided to call off the match after consulting the two captains Ambati Rayudu and Dane Vilas.
The highlight of the final day�s play was 23-year-old Nair�s unbeaten 114 off 192 balls, which was laced with 18 boundaries and a big six.
In the company of Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar, Nair added 148 runs for an unbroken fifth-wicket stand to shut out any chances that the Proteas harboured of a win.
Shankar, on his part, contributed 74 off 142 balls with 12 boundaries to his credit.
The duo came together when India were in a bit of trouble at 161 for four in the 64th over of the innings and there was more than 50 overs left in the day at that point of time for the South African side to get the remaining six wickets.
The best part about the Nair-Shankar partnership was their positive intent as they added the runs in 43.3 overs.
In fact, the duo played first innings� wrecker-in-chief Dane Peidt with a lot of ease. The off-break bowler managed 1/125 in 43 overs in the second innings and 5/88 in India A�s first innings.
Scoreboard
South Africa A 1st innings: 542 all out.
India A 1st innings: 204
South Africa A 2nd innings 105/1 decl. in 35 overs
India A 2nd innings (target: 444 runs) J Singh run out (Piedt) 1, A Mukund c de Bruyn b Piedt 65, A Bains b Maharaj 27, A Rayudu c de Bruyn b Maharaj 15, K Nair not out 114, V Shankar not out 74; Extras (b-6, lb-5, w-1, nb-1) 13. Total (For 4 wickets; 107.2 overs) 309. Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-43, 3-94, 4-161. Bowling: Parnell 3-0-19-0, Paterson 21-5-69-0, Maharaj 36-12-79-2, Piedt 43-14-125-1, Van Zyl 4.2-2-6-0. � PTI
