Ambati Rayudu's fine knock of 105 resurrected India A's floundering innings as the team posted a challenging 339 in their first innings on the second day of the first unofficial cricket Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln, New Zealand, on Thursday.
India 'A' consolidated their position in the second unofficial Test, amassing over 550 runs and then reducing New Zealand 'A' to 198 for five on the second day of the match in Lincoln on Thursday.
Electing to bowl first, the Indians packed off the hosts for 176 before surviving some anxious moments to overhaul the target in 47.2 overs.
Skipper Mitch Marsh almost single-handedly guided Australia to a two-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in second semi-final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, just outside Christchurch, on Wednesday. After dismissing Sri Lanka for 205 in 48.2 overs, the Aussies faltered in the run chase, losing regular wickets, before eventually getting across the line with 10 balls to spare at 206 for 8.
Australia won the Under-19 cricket World Cup, beating Pakistan by 25 runs in the final at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, New Zealand, on Saturday.
Australia and Pakistan go head to head in a battle of former champions in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2010 final at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday, with both the sides aiming to become the first country to win the tournament three times.
India A's push for a result could not come through as New Zealand A escaped with a draw on the fourth and final day of the first unofficial Test in Lincoln.
A listless display by India 'A' allowed New Zealand 'A' to win the third and final unofficial ODI by 65 runs and square the three-match series 1-1 in Lincoln on Sunday.
India scraped to a three-wicket victory in the third game of the five-match series.
Put in to bat, India were restricted to 157 for 7. New Zealand chased down the total in 28.2 overs.
World champions India will clash against hosts Australia in their first warm-up match of the ICC World Cup 2015 in Adelaide on February 8 before they take on minnows Afghanistan at the same venue two days later.
Sri Lanka, who are third in the WTC rankings behind already qualified Australia and India, will need to beat New Zealand 2-0.
Rain forced the abandonment of Monday's cricket World Cup warm-up match between New Zealand and Zimbabwe.
Scotland pipped Kenya to secure their third World Cup appearance on Thursday while United Arab Emirates (UAE) also booked their ticket for next year's marquee 50-over tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Prithvi Shaw smashed 48 off 35 balls to lay the foundation for India's chase.
Shaw knocks at selectors' doors ahead of NZ Tests with a splendid 150 off 100 balls.
Hamilton Masakadza scored a run-a-ball century as Zimbabwe stunned Sri Lanka with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory in a World Cup warm-up at Bert Sutcliffe Oval on Wednesday.
Scotland and the United Arab Emirates secured the final two positions in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 after victories on the last day of the Super Six stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier New Zealand 2014 (CWCQ), in Christchurch, on Thursday.
India and Australia are clubbed together in Group B along with Zimbabwe and East Asia Pacific qualifier Papua New Guinea, an ICC release read on Wednesday.
The Auckland Aces fast-bowler has been cleared fit to play after fracturing his right thumb in Sri Lanka last month and will join Blackcaps teammates Tim Seifert and Colin Munro in the 12-man squad.
With the win, Bangladesh have strengthened their chances of progressing to the Super League stage from Group C.