Hamilton: Young Karnataka batsman Ravikumar Samarth's unbeaten half-century was the only highlight for India A in their rain-affected second 'unofficial Test' against New Zealand A, which ended in a draw.
With nearly two days of play abandoned due to rain, 45 overs of play was possible on the final day with India reaching 159 for 2 when captains decided to shake hands.
New Zealand A had earlier scored 303 for 7 before declaring their first innings, courtesy a hundred from opener Will Young.
Apart from Samarth (50 not out off 83 balls), openers Mayank Agarwal (42, 57 balls) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (47, 109 balls) also got starts but failed to make it big.
Once Samarth reached his 17th half-century in his 50th first-class appearance, the match was called off.
In the morning, Agarwal and Easwaran added 74 runs for the opening stand in 21 overs.
Agarwal was the dominant of the duo hitting seven fours before being caught by 'keeper Glenn Phillips off medium pacer Seth Rance's bowling.
Easwaran and Samarth added another 50 runs for the second wicket as the Bengal opener was unable to keep the scoreboard ticking during his near four-hour knock.
He batted for 231 minutes, faced 109 balls, hitting six fours in the process before being send back by pacer Blair Tickner nicking to Phillips behind stumps.
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Last week, the NZC had shifted Friday's double headers from the Eden Park to Wellington, after COVID-19 alert Level 3 restrictions were imposed in Auckland, which doesn't allow any sports event to take place.
Patel said England expect the fourth and final Test pitch, starting on Thursday, to also be a spinning track but said the visitors are eager to punch back from the two straight losses.
The 31-year-old, who was released by Rajasthan Royals, was acquired by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2.2 crore at the IPL auctions last week.