India’s New Zealand Test warm-up ends in draw

AFP, Whangarei :

India’s under-fire batting line-up gained valuable match practice on Monday as the tourists’ two- day Test warm-up against a New Zealand XI ended in a draw.
India declared at 313 for seven on day two in response to the hosts’ 262 for nine declared, with wicketkeeper-batsman Ambati Rayudu unbeaten on 49 after Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane retired on 59 and 60 respectively.
All-rounder Ravi Ashwin also made a good start before Shawn Hicks bowled him for 46 in encouraging signs for an Indian line up that failed to shine with the bat in a 4-0 one-day international series loss to the Black Caps.
The first of two Tests between New Zealand and India starts in Auckland on Thursday.