Kamboj shines but 2nd unofficial Test ends in draw

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Last updated on: June 09, 2025 23:19 IST

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Tanush Kotian

IMAGE: Tanush Kotian smashed his 16th First Class half-ton to propel India A's total against England Lions on Monday. Photograph: Kind courtesy Akaran A/X

Anshul Kamboj (51) smashed his maiden First-Class fifty and also grabbed two wickets on the fourth and final day as India A's second unofficial Test against England Loins ended in a draw in Northampton on Monday.

Set an improbable 439-run target in the final session, England Lions slipped to 32 for three before both the captains decided to shake hands.

India A's first unofficial Test against England Lions had also ended in a draw in Canterbury.

India A will now link up with the senior players move in Beckenham for a four-day intra-squad match to be played from June 13-16 at the Kent County Cricket Ground.

 

 

India A batters consumed the first two sessions on the final day to garner experience on a flat track.

India declared their second innings at 417/7 after the tea break. England were rocked early when Tushar Deshpande had Tom Haines caught at the second slip.

It was a terrific catch from Nitish Reddy who flew to his left to catch the ball over his head.

Kamboj then had Emilio Gay (5) caught behind by the wicketkeeper. He also broke through the defence of Jordan Cox (0) in the eighth over.

Anshul Kamboj grabbed two wickets after hitting his maiden first class 50 

IMAGE: Anshul Kamboj grabbed two wickets after hitting his maiden first class 50 earlier on Day 4. Photograph: BCCI Domestic/X

Earlier, Tanush Kotian (90 not out) and Anshul Kamboj (51 not out) brought up their respective half-centuries to take India A to 417 for 7 at tea.

Kotian brought up his 16th First-Class half-century, while Kamboj hit his maiden first-class half century, to propel India A's overall lead to 438.

Kotian struck 10 fours to reach 90 not out in 108 balls as he forged a 149-run unbeaten stand for the eighth wicket partnership with Kamboj to frustrate the England Lions' in a wicket-less second session.

England Lions took the second new ball after the 80th over but got no returns on a docile as runs came thick and fast -- the scoring rate hovering around four-and-a-half runs an over for most part of the session.

Earlier, India A lost three wickets but their lead surged to 289 against England Lions on the fourth and final day of the second unofficial Test, in Northampton at the County Ground. on Monday.

India were 268 for seven at lunch after losing Dhruv Jurel (28), Nitish Kumar Reddy (42) and Shardul Thakur (34) in the opening session.

Thakur fell at the stroke of lunch, cleaned up by George Hill (3/39) while Tanush Kotian (7) was at the other end.

Resuming at 163/4, Jurel hit a couple of fours off Chris Woakes in mid-wicket region to start the proceedings but he could not convert it into a big score.

Jurel perished for a 51-ball 28 with three fours. He was caught behind off an outswinger from Eddie Jack as the ball shaped away from the batter.

He put on 46 runs for the fifth wicket with Reddy who perished for 42.

Reddy had his middle stump flattened when Hill got the ball to nip back in and found its way between his bat and pads, ending the all-rounder's innings for 42 off 78 balls with four fours and a six.

Thakur (34, 47 balls, 3x4s, 2x6s) struck a four down the ground before launching consecutive sixes off Farhan Ahmed.

Earlier, resuming on 163/4 in 33 overs, Reddy and Jurel batted cautiously in the morning session before the latter was dismissed for 28, caught behind off pacer Eddie Jack.

Abhimanyu Easwaran and K L Rahul hit half-centuries to stretch India's A lead on Day 3. Easwaran stroked a brisk 80 from 92 balls, with 10 boundaries, while Rahul, who hit a century in the first innings, carried on his good form as he made 51 from 64 balls.

Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed took 4/70 in 19 overs overs as England Lions were bowled out for 327 in reply to India A's 348.

Brief Scores: India A 348 & 417/7 decl in 92 overs (KL Rahul 51, Abhimanyu Easwaran 80, Nitish Kumar Reddy 42, Tanush Kotian 90 not out, Anshul Kamboj 51 not out; George Hill 3/64) drew with England Lions 327 & 32/3 in 11 overs (Anshul Kamboj 2/6). 

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