ST JOHN'S, June 1: India's batsmen confirmed that they could be their side's strength during the upcoming Tests against West Indies, when four of them reached half-centuries as the tour match with Antigua & Barbuda ended in a predictable draw on Wednesday.
Replying to the home team's first innings total of 300, India reached 311 for nine when stumps were drawn on the second and last day of the match at the Police Recreation Ground on the outskirts of the capital.
Vangipurappu Laxman led the way for the visitors with nine fours in 72 from 122 balls in close to three and a half hours of batting.
Mahendra Dhoni supported with an unbeaten 60, Mohammad Kaif scored 53 before he retired, and opener Wasim Jaffer made 52.
Scoreboard
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA (1st Innings) 300 (S.C. Joseph 128 not out).
INDIA (1st Innings, overnight 33-1):
Wasim Jaffer run out 52
V. Sehwag c Martin b Sanford 6
V.V.S. Laxman c Joseph b Athanaze 72
R. Dravid c Athanaze b Martin 5
Mohammad Kaif retired 53
S.K. Raina c Joesph b Martin 4
Yuvraj Singh c Devon b Athanaze 20
M.S. Dhoni not out 60
Irfan Pathan st Mentor b Athanaze 12
K.K.D. Karthik c Mentor b Hampson 9
Harbhajan Singh not out 7
EXTRAS (B-5, LB-2, W-3, NB-1) 11
TOTAL (for nine wkts, 96 overs) 311
FALL OF WKTS: 1-21, 2-87, 3-96, 4-194, 5-194, 6-227, 7-274, 9-293.
DID NOT BAT: R.R. Powar, A. Kumble, M.M. Patel, V.R. Ssingh, S. Sreesanth.
BOWLING: Sanford 20-5-68-1 (1w); Matthew 6-2-16-0; Hampson 16-5-43-1 (1nb, 2w); K. Skepple 8-0-31-0; Martin 25-6-67-2; Athanaze 21-2-79-3.
NOTE: 16 playersr side (11 bat, 11 field).—Agencies