India colts share 3-match series 1-1 with New Zealand

Christchurch, Feb 5 (UNI) Tanmay Srivastava (170) and A Rahane's (179) brilliant hundreds went in vain as New Zealand colts survived the final day to force the third and final 'Test' against India to a draw at Lincoln and share the three-match series 1-1. Resuming at 531 for five on the fourth and final day, India colts added 35 runs for the loss of two wickets before declaring at a massive 566 for seven at Bert Sutcliffe Oval.

Set to score 391 for an unlikely win, hosts' opener Jeet Raval compiled a solid 89 to frustrate the Indian bowlers.

Though New Zealand wickets fell in regular intervals and the visitors threatened to run through the middle order, the hosts held out for a draw, scoring 231 for six in 96 overs.

Earlier, Indian top order found their touch after being shot out for a paltry 124 in the first innings and each of them contributed in the second essay though Srivastava and Rahane's centuries swelled the total.

R Teja (50), V Kohli (54), B Sumanth (30) and S Sharma (35) were among runs, but the Indian bowlers ran out of ideas to bowl out the hosts batsmen for a series-clinching victory.

Piyush Chawla and K Appana cliamed two wickets apiece while Ishant Sharma and A Rahane took one wicket each.

The two teams will now play a three-match ODI series, beginning at Bert Sutcliffe Oval on Wednesday.

They will play the remaining two matches on February 8 and 10 at the same venue.

Brief Scorecard India U-19: 124 all out and 566/7 declared (A Rahane 179, Tanmay Srivastava 170, V Kohli 54, R Teja 50; T Boult 2/91) New Zealand U-19: 300 all out and 231 for 6 (Jeet Raval 89; Piyush Chawla 2/62, K Appana 2/59) UNI