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Ponting ensures draw

Ponting guides Australia to draw

05/10/2008 10:16 PM

Ricky Ponting hit a half-century and Michael Clarke got in some valuable batting practice as the Australians drew their warm-up game against the Board President's XI.

Yuvraj Singh (113) struck a century and Wasim Jaffer fell seven runs short as they made light work of the Australian bowling attack.

Rohit Sharma (29 not out) and Virat Kohli (16no), century makers in the first innings, were hardly in distress as the Board President's XI, who had resumed on 110 for two, declared their second innings at 292 for four.

That left the Australians with an impossible target of 434 in less than two sessions and they had reached 127 for two when stumps were drawn.

Ponting would have been particularly pleased with his batting, although the same cannot be said of his openers.

Simon Katich made just five in the second innings before he slashed at a rising delivery outside off stump from Manpreet Gony, finding Kohli at point.

Matthew Hayden fell for 14 when he was rapped on the pads by Piyush Chawla. The appeal for leg before was upheld by umpire Amiesh Saheba although the left-hander had played well forward.

Ponting (58no) and Clarke (36no), however, ensured no further damage - although they initially looked a trifle uncomfortable against the spinners.

Clarke lived dangerously before launching into his strokes, while Ponting, who on several occasions survived confident appeals for lbw, hit left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha out of the attack with a couple of boundaries and sixes off consecutive overs.

Yuvraj and Jaffer had held sway in the morning session, showing confidence against both pace and spin.

Yuvraj reached his century with a six over mid-wicket off Clarke and went on to make 113, bludgeoning seven fours and as many sixes along the way.

He and Jaffer added 200 runs for the third wicket.

Both fell to Stuart Clark, the only Australian bowler to enjoy success on the final day.

Yuvraj, visibly tired, attempted to carve Clark through the covers, but only ended up in edging to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Jaffer departed shortly after, caught in front while attempting to work a delivery away on the on side.

Jason Krejza had a tough day after going wicketless in the first innings, he was hit for 76 runs from the 11 overs that he sent down.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images
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