It was an uneventful final day of the third unofficial Test as third consecutive game between India A and South Africa A ended in a draw. Chasing a massive target of 304, Hanuma Vihari-led India A did not have enough time in their hands to make a game out of it as rain played spoilsport, allowing just 45 overs of play.
South Africa A top order dominates
Earlier hosts’ opener Sarel Erwee missed his century by just three runs as Krishnappa Gowtham provided a much-needed breakthrough to put an end to the frustrating second-wicket partnership between him and Zubayr Hamza. Erwee could add only 12 runs to his overnight score whereas Hamza went on to score a century. He remained unbeaten for 125 off 192 deliveries including 15 boundaries.
Gowtham was the only successful bowler for India A on Day 4 as he got the wicket of Tony de Zorzi who was looking to get some quick runs. Zorzi scored 33 runs from 31 deliveries including two fours and one six. Skipper Pieter Malan declared the innings after South Africa A scored 311/3 in 86 overs. Earlier on Day 3, Navdeep Saini took the wicket of opener Malan.
Top order fails again before rain plays spoilsport
Coming to bat in fourth innings, India got off to a fiery start but Abhimanyu Easwaran got out for a 25-ball 19 including four boundaries. Lutho Sipamala got the first wicket with the new ball in the seventh over. After getting out for a single-digit score in the first innings, Devdutt Padikkal failed to make a mark again as he lost his wicket after scoring 15 runs. This time he edged Migael Pretorious’ delivery to the wicketkeeper.
Prithvi Shaw was looking to score runs quickly but once again could not capitalise on a good start. The prodigious Indian opener could score 38 runs from 34 deliveries. His quickfire knock included eight boundaries. Vihari and Ishan Kishan looked to form a partnership but with no result in sight given the time left, the two captains had to shake hands as rain played spoilsport again. Vihari remained unbeaten for 13 off 25 deliveries. In the end, India A’s score was 90/3 in 17 overs.
