Chennai: The two-day practice match between Australia and Board President’s XI ended in a draw at the Guru Nanak College ground here on Wednesday. Ambati Rayudu and Parvez Rasool were the only silver linings in the Board President’s innings. Rayudu ended up making 87 runs while Rasool, after his stupendous bowling display the previous day, played a cameo of 36 runs and helped India reach 230 before being dismissed for 230 in 68.3 overs.
Moises Henriques and Nathan Lyon were the pick of the bowlers from the Australian side as Henriques picked up four wickets by giving away 12 runs in his spell of 10 overs while Lyon complimented him well by picking up three wickets.
Earlier Abhinav Mukund and Robin Uthappa failed to capitalize on the good start they got and after their departure, President’s XI kept on losing the wickets at regular intervals. Henriques and Lyon bowled at a brisk pace to reduce the home team to 61for four.
Ambayati Rayudu, who had scored century against Mumbai in Irani Trophy, however looked in superb touch and tried to hold the innings together. He crafted his innings well and stayed on the crease for good two and a half hours. He made sure that his team gets close to the visitors’ total before getting out for 87, including nine fours and four sixes.
Meanwhile, Pravez Rassol, who managed to bag seven wickets on Tuesday, looked promising with the bat as he scored 36 runs, which included four boundaries and two sixes. He was the second highest run scorer for his team.
After the dismissal of Board President’s XI, the Australian openers came out to bat for the remaining four overs in the day’s play and ended up making 15 runs without losing any wicket. Glenn Maxwell scored 12 runs while Usman Khawaja added just one run.