India A drew with New Zealand A – first unofficial Test

India A 7-388 (Vijay Zol 110, Abhiskeh Nayar 102*, Jiwanjot Singh 48, Todd Astle 3-106, Ish Sodhi 2-100) drew with New Zealand A 310 (Luke Ronchi 125, Todd Astle 63, Jalaj Saxena 6-106)

India proved their strength in the cricket field when their A team comprising the young guns displayed a splendid show against the visiting New Zealand A.

The visitors scored 310 runs before they were bowled out in 77.3 overs and the Hosts piled up 388 for the loss of 7 wickets in 93.5 overs.

The first unofficial Test concluded on Friday, August 30, 2013, at Port Trust Diamond Jubilee Stadium, Visakhapantam.

Earlier, the home side started the day at 1-6 after utilising three overs whereas Jiwanjot Singh and Sarabjit Ladda were at the crease with one run each. The batsmen got off slowly and did not take any undue risk in the opening overs. They took the score to 49 in 17.5 overs when Ladda was caught and bowled by Todd Astle for 15 off 52 balls with just one four. He was replaced by the young left hand batsman, Vijay Zol who made his debut in the First-class cricket.

Vijay Zol - Maiedn First-class ton
Vijay Zol – Maiedn First-class ton

Jiwanjot Singh secured his end while ticking the score board moving with odd boundaries and Zol was the most aggressive of the two. The latter proved his selection in the squad by displaying professional cricket skills and did not look nervous in his first outing. The second wicket partnership kept on consolidating as the New Zealand A captain, Tom Latham, used six bowlers to get a breakthrough. The total was enhanced to 126 in 36.3 overs when Jiwanjot Singh was caught by Neil Broom off Ish Sodhi for 48 from 114 with 8 fours.

Manprit Juneja walked in the park next and Zol kept on stabilising at his end with regular boundaries. The latter crossed his fifty in the process and Juneja gave him a nice support at the other end. The latter hit the first six of the innings followed by another in the coming overs along with few fours. The Kiwis A got their fourth success at 223 when Manprit Juneja was clean bowled by Astle for 43 off 67 deliveries with 2 lofty sixes and 3 fours. The skipper of India A, Abhishek Nayar, joined in next with Zol and they kept the rhythm of scoring with their determined batting.

Vijay Zol blasted his maiden First-class hundred which was hailed by his captain, team management, team mates and the rival players on the field. His masterly innings came to an end at 283 after he had contributed 110 off 153 with 19 well timed fours. Nayar was solid as rock and continued with his admirable innings whereas a couple of wickets fell at the other end. He thrashed his 12th First-class century and remained unbeaten for 102 off 110 balls with 1 six and 14 fours. India A smashed 388 in 93.5 overs with three wickets still in hand when the game was called off.

Todd Astle was the highest wicket taker with three, Ish Sodhi held two whereas Dough Bracewell and Carl Cachopa shared one wicket each.

The first unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A ended as a draw and the second will commence from September 2, 2013, at the same venue.


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