Naman Ojha, Rayudu strike hundreds in draw

Naman Ojha and Ambati Rayudu struck hundreds on the last day as India A drew their first four-day game against Australia A in Brisbane.

A draw was the most likely end to the game after the record 371-run stand between Mitchell Marsh and Sam Whiteman on the third day put Australia A in the lead. However, for a brief period during India A's innings, the remote possibility of a result emerged after fast bowler Chadd Sayers' three wickets reduced India to 5 for 86 with a lead of only 27. The unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 199 between Ojha and Rayudu steered the game towards the draw.

Rayudu, who had batted at No. 4 earlier in the game, came in at No. 7. He had scored a duck in the first innings and took 24 balls to get off the mark in the second but he gradually began playing his shots. He accelerated as the innings progressed, entering the 90s with a six off Peter Forrest, and brought up the hundred three overs later with a four through the off side.

Ojha carried the fluency of his double hundred into this innings to finish with a match aggregate of 320. His first and last deliveries went for four and six respectively and book-ended a knock that ensured India would finish the game on a strong note. He was the more aggressive of the two batsmen, hitting five sixes off which four came against the medium-pace of Forrest. Like the first innings, he brought up his 15th first-class hundred with a six.

Earlier, Australia A's last-wicket pair added 12 to their overnight total of 9 for 522. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Boyce for 27 to finish with 5 for 132, his third five-for in first-class cricket.

The second and final unofficial Test starts from July 13.