Mishra, Rayudu shine for India 'A'

While the senior India team is struggling to find form in the World Cup, the 'A' team had a good outing on their tour of the West Indies, in their four-day match against the Leeward Islands, which ended in a draw on Monday.

Having lost their opening match of the tour to Barbados by an innings and 77 runs, the Indians showed marked improvement against Leeward Islands. Put in to bat, they put up a total of 450, thanks to some fine batting by openers Gautam Gambhir (98) and  Amit Chopra (79), and middle order batsmen Ambati Rayudu (84) and Abhijit Kale (80). No. 3 batsman Connor Williams also made a useful contribution of 41 runs.

In reply, the hosts were shot out for 201. Leeward Islands collapsed after a good start. From 101 for 1, the Islanders collapsed against the leg spin of Haryana's Amit Mishra and off-breaks of Hyderabad's Rayudu and were all out for 201.

Mishra claimed five wickets for 55 runs while Rayudu chipped in with 4 for 43.

For Leeward Islands, opener F A Adams top scored with 54. S C Joseph made a useful 46.

Asked to follow on, the Islanders were helped by incessant showers that prevented play for long periods on the third day. Determined resistance by opener J A Mitchell, who remained unbeaten on 72, and O C Banks, who was undefeated with 51, helped save the day for the home side. When play was called off they were 232-4, after being  precarious placed at 126-4, before Mitchell and Banks mounted the rescue act.

Mishra was again the most successful bowler with three wickets for 63.