Easwaran, Shankar fifties drive India A on rain-hit day

Abhimanyu Easwaran and Ravikumar Samarth got India off to a good start, stitching a 98-run partnership for the first wicket.

India A's Abhimanyu Easwaran and Ravikumar Samarth put up an opening wicket stand of 98 runs against New Zealand A in the third unofficial Test at Cobham Oval in Whangarei.

Fifties from Abhimanyu Easwaran and Vijay Shankar helped India A post 248 for the loss of four wickets at stumps on a rain-hit first day of the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Whangarei on Friday.

After rain interrupted play twice in the day, stumps was called after 69 overs due to bad light.

Easwaran and Ravikumar Samarth got India off to a good start. The duo posted 98 runs for the first wicket before Samarth fell three runs short of his half-century, losing his wicket to New Zealand A captain Doug Bracewell.

India A with an opening stand of 98 at Cobham Oval before wickets for New Zealand A. Doug Bracewell now with 2 and Blair Tickner 1. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/ZDoWdJtkod#NZAvINDApic.twitter.com/naeNQGk3E8

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 30, 2018

 

Easwaran was dismissed soon after for 56. Bracewell picked up his second, bowling Ankeet Bawane out for 10.

After India captain Karun Nair's dismissal, Shubman Gill and Vijay Shankar saw the day through with an unbroken 98-run stand.