The first unofficial Test between England Lions and India A, played at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, concluded in a high-scoring draw, serving as a batting feast for both sides. The four-day encounter saw an abundance of runs and several notable individual performances, though the flat nature of the pitch ultimately made a decisive result elusive.
India A, after being put in to bat by England Lions, amassed a colossal first innings total of 557 runs. The innings was anchored by a magnificent double century from Karun Nair (204 runs off 281 balls), who demonstrated exceptional patience and strokeplay. He was well-supported by significant contributions from Sarfaraz Khan (92) and Dhruv Jurel (94), both of whom narrowly missed out on centuries. Josh Hull and Zaman Akhter were the pick of the bowlers for the Lions, claiming three wickets each.
In response, the England Lions showcased their batting prowess, posting an even higher total of 587 runs, taking a slender 30-run first-innings lead. The innings was highlighted by three superb centuries. Tom Haines (171 runs off 279 balls) played a monumental knock, holding the innings together with his resilience. He received excellent support from Dan Mousley (113) and Max Holden (101), who also reached triple figures, further illustrating the docile nature of the pitch. Mukesh Kumar emerged as the most successful bowler for India A with three wickets, while Shardul Thakur picked up two.
With the match heading towards an inevitable draw, India A utilized their second innings to give their key batsmen valuable time in the middle. They raced to 241 for 2 in 41 overs before the match was called off. Opening batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal (64 off 60 balls) and skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran (68 off 87 balls) provided a blistering start with rapid half-centuries. Dhruv Jurel, batting at number three, also continued his good form with an unbeaten 53, while Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with a quickfire 52 not out.
Key Takeaways:
While the draw was the expected outcome given the batting-friendly conditions, both teams will take positives from the match. For India A, Karun Nair’s double century and the confident half-centuries from their Test squad members in the second innings will provide a significant boost ahead of the upcoming main Test series against England. Dhruv Jurel’s solid performances with the bat, including his second fifty in the match, will also put him in good stead.
For England Lions, the centuries from Haines, Mousley, and Holden showcased the depth of their batting talent. However, both sides will be looking for more penetration from their bowling attacks in future encounters, especially on pitches that offer more assistance to bowlers.
The first unofficial Test may not have yielded a result, but it certainly provided an entertaining display of red-ball cricket and served as a valuable preparation for the players involved.
