WICB President XI’s middle-order stood tall and frustrated the Indian bowlers on the final day to give their side a fighting draw. With the home side leading by 39 runs, the players shook hands after 78 overs were bowled in the day. Campbell began the day in positive fashion against Ravindra Jadeja, but perished by mistiming a slog against the left-arm spinner. Hope failed to deliver for the second time in the match after his heroics in the first practice game, as Ravichandran Ashwin had him caught at short fine-leg.
Blackwood joined Vishaul Singh, and the duo began to bat out time in confident fashion. The home side were clearly playing for the draw and their tactics forced captain Virat Kohli to bring in Stuart Binny and Murali Vijay. The batsmen though continued to frustrate the bowling side. Finally India got the much needed wicket as Vishaul was run-out for 39 by Shikhar Dhawan. The 62-run partnership, that lasted 31 overs, had been broken.
Blackwood batted with more responsibility and eventually went on to reach his half-century. Ravichandran Ashwin gave India another much needed breakthrough by castling the Blackwood for 51 just before Tea. In the begining of the third and and final session, India were still ahead by 9 runs but Montcin Hodge and Rahkeem Cornwall sensed the situation and played some shots in order to fetch a lead. Cornwall smashed two huge sixes before edging Mohammad Shami to the keeper. Hamilton and Hodge then stayed at the crease for some time to ensure that they didn’t lose another wicket as the game was drawn.
Brief scores:
WICB President’s XI 180 (Rahkeem Cornwall 41, Ravindra Jadeja 3/16) and 223/6 (Jermaine Blackwood 51, Ravichandran Ashwin 3/59) drew with
India 364 (KL Rahul 64, Rahkeem Cornwall 5/118).