Date:29/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/29/stories/2008092961432000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Match ends in a draw

JAIPUR: The two-day warm-up game between Australia and Rajasthan Cricket Association ended in a draw at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Sunday. The visiting side then preferred to have a nets session in the afternoon.

In reply to Australia’s 218, RCA, resuming at 38 for two, was shot out for 122 just one hour after the lunch break. The captains then agreed to call off the match as the Australians sought some time for practice which was mainly used to play the spinners.

Falling early

RCA captain Venugopala Rao departed early, adding just two to his overnight score of 18. Thereafter, wickets fell at regular intervals even as the enthusiastic fans gathered at the stadium returned home disappointed.

Robin Bisht (34) emerged as the top scorer for RCA. He struck four boundaries in his innings which lasted 136 minutes. Gagan Khoda (33, 5x4) was the other notable contributor.

Left-arm seamer Doug Bollinger and off-spinner Jason Kerjza captured three wickets each.

About the practice session, medium-pacer Peter Siddle said, “We got the opportunity to use the wicket for a full day. It was an extended session for the bowlers and the batters got a second hit.”

He hoped that his team would be fully prepared when the first Test begins in Bangalore on October 9.

The scores: Australia 218 in 77.1 overs drew with Rajasthan Cricket Association 122 in 52.2 overs. — Sports Reporter