AUCKLAND, Dec 7: Ramnaresh Sarwan batted himself into form ahead of the two-Test cricket series against New Zealand, compiling an unbeaten 158 as the West Indies’ three-day tour match against Auckland province ended on Sunday in a draw.

Sarwan’s innings and a patient 93 from opener Sewnarine Chattergoon helped the tourists to 431 for seven, replying to Auckland’s first innings of 587 for seven declared.

The West Indies resumed at 82-2 on Sunday and made slow but steady progress on a perfect batting wicket. Opener Xavier Marshall was out early for 47 but Chattergoon and Sarwan steered the West Indies innings through the middle session.

Chattergoon was eventually caught at midwicket by Martin Guptill off Tarun Nathula. Sarwan struck his 15th boundary to bring up his century before tea, when the West Indies were 268 for three. He eventually retired in the final session, having faced 198 balls and hit 23 fours and two sixes.

Few of the other West Indies batsmen cashed in on the opportunity to bat for a long period ahead of the first Test, which starts in Dunedin on Thursday. Leon Johnson was out for four, Shivnarine Chanderpaul for 22, Brendon Nash for 23 and Sulieman Benn for 4.

Denesh Ramdin was 37 not out and Fidel Edwards was not out 18 at stumps.

Summarised scores:

AUCKLAND 587-7 (R. Jones 201, G. Hopkins 103 not out, T. McIntosh 78, K. Mills 50; F. Edwards 125-3); WEST INDIES 431-7 (R. Sarwan 158, S. Chattergoon 93).—Agencies