PIX: Saha's fifty helps India A escape with draw in practice game

Wriddhiman Saha

IMAGE: Wriddhiman Saha of India A hits a boundary during Day 3 of the practice match against Australia A at the Drummoyne Oval, in Sydney, on Tuesday. Photograph: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha hit a gutsy half-century to help India A escape with a draw against Australia A, on the third and final day of their practice match at Drummoyne Oval, in Sydney, on Tuesday.

Set an improbable 131 for victory in 15 overs, Australia A finished on 52-1, with Umesh Yadav bowling opener Joe Burns off an inside edge in the first over.

The only worry for Australia must have been young opener Will Pucovski, who had retired hurt on 23, after getting hit on the helmet by a bouncer from pacer Kartik Tyagi.

IMAGE: Will Pucovski of Australia A lies injured after getting struck on the helmet off the bowling of Kartik Tyagi of India A. Photograph: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Saha top-scored for the visitors with 54 not out from 100 balls as India declared their second innings on 185-9, to set the hosts a target of 131 runs from 15 overs and give their bowlers some practice ahead of the four-Test series, starting in Adelaide on December 17.

Saha in the company of No 11 Kartik Tyagi (2 from 27 balls) took India to safety as they shared an unbeaten stand of 46 runs for the last wicket, after they were struggling on 143 for nine at one stage.

Except for Saha, no other India batsman managed to get past the 30-run mark. They will play their second three-day practice match, a day-night game with the pink ball against Australia A in Sydney, from December 11 to 13.

For Australia, Steketee took 5-37, while Michael Neser and Cameron Green took two wickets each.

IMAGE: Australia A pace bowler Mark Steketee celebrates after taking the wicket of Mohammed Siraj of India A to complete his five-wicket haul. Photograph: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Earlier, Australia A were bowled out for 306 in their first innings to take a first innings lead of 59 runs, with Umesh Yadav (3/48) and Mohammed Siraj (3/83) taking three wickets apiece, while Ravichandran Ashwin took 2/62.

In the second innings, the opening duo of Prithvi Shaw (19) and Shubman Gill (29) failed to carry on after getting off to starts as they both fell to Cameron Green, who had top scored for Australia A with 125 not out.

Cheteshwar Pujara was bowled for a duck by a beauty from pacer Michael Neser, who got the full delivery to move away late to beat the bat.

IMAGE: Australia A players celebrate after Michael Neser took the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara. Photograph: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Hanuma Vihari and Rahane scored 28 each as they took India past the 100-run mark, putting on 54 runs for the fourth wicket before the former was also dismissed by Neser.

Rahane was trapped leg before wicket by Mark Steketee, who also accounted for Ravichandran Ashwin (8) and Kuldeep Yadav (0) as India lost four wickets for 25 runs.