Rayudu slams fighting 87 as Australia-Board President's XI warm-up tie ends in draw

A file photo of Ambati Rayadu

Ambati Rayudu steadied a faltering Board President’s XI innings with a pugnacious knock of 87 as Australian bowlers fought back after being all out for 241 in their first innings as the two-day warm-up match ended in a draw at the India Cement Limited Guru Nanak College Ground in Chennai.

The right-hander strode out with his side in a spot of bother at 47 for 2 in the 21st over. He brought some stability to the middle order stitching 41 runs for the fifth wicket with Parthiv Patel to take his side past the 100-run mark.

Rayudu produced the most important partnership of the innings – raising 67 runs for the seventh wicket with the seven-wicket haul man Parvez Rassol – it was this stand that gave some respite to the Board President’s XI innings.

Their doughty stand ended when Rassol was consumed by left-arm spinner Ashton Agar for 36, which came off 54 balls, punctuated with four fours and one six.

Rayudu’s fine innings finally folded up at his team’ score on 213 when he was nipped out by seamer Moises Henriques. Rayudu’s 87 came off 150 balls, studded with nine fours and three sixes.

It was Henriques, who, earlier in the day, fully vindicated Australian captain Matthew Wade’s decision to introduce him into the attack when he prised out Mandeep Singh caught behind for 3 before breaching the steady vigil of Board President’s XI captain Abhinav Mukund for 21.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon effected the opening breakthrough when he had Robin Uthappa caught by Glenn Maxwell for 24. The offie later dismissed Kedar Jadhav cheaply for 1 besides accounting for Shami Ahmed for 14.

Paceman James Pattinson, who last played a Test match in November, had his first wicket of the match when he cleaned up Stuart Binny for 5.

Henriques ended the Board President’s XI innings at the score on 230, dislodging Sarabjit Ladda for 5 to finish with impressive returns of 4 for 12.

Thus, Australia gained a slender 11-run first innings lead.

Batting second time, the Australian opening duo of Glenn Maxwell and Usman Khawaja took their side to 15 for no loss off four overs when the match was called off.