Third Test drawn; India win under-19 series

Tail-enders Robert Ferley (37) and Justin Bishop (22) rescued England from the jaws of defeat with a 53-run partnership for the ninth wicket on the concluding day, as third and final under-19 Test against India, at Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad, ended in a draw on Tuesday.

India, having won the first Test in Bombay and drawing the second at Madras, won the series 1-0.

"The boys should have taken a couple of more wickets after the lunch session to consolidate their position," Indian coach Roger Binny said after the match.

England, starting its second innings with a deficit of 176 runs, were precariously placed at 226 for 8 during the first mandatory over. However, Ferley and Bishop waded through the rest of the 17 overs and took the score to 279 for 8 by close.

India, after amassing 492 in reply to England's first innings score of 316, picked up quick wickets in the morning session but could not maintain the tempo.

Overnight batsman Nicky Peng compiled a patient 72 off 122 balls while skipper Ian Bell stood between India and victory by a resolute 61 off 163 balls.

Mark Wallace added 31 runs for the eighth wicket with R Ferley while N Aggarwal, A Mishra, V Sivaramakrishnan and Ishan Ganda claimed two wickets each.

Scoreboard

India (1st innings): 492
England (1st innings): 316
England (2nd innings):
John Sadler c Ratra b V Sivaramakrishnan 27
Nickey Peng c Naidu b Mishra 72
Ian Bell c Ratra b V Sivaramakrishnan 61
G Pratt c Maninder Singh b Mishra 11
Muchall c Ratra b Ishan Ganda 3
Chris Tremlett c Naidu b Ishan Ganda 1
Mark Wallace lbw b Nitin Agarwal 22
R Ferley not out 37
K.Hogg c Rata b Agarwal 2
J Bishop not out 21
Extras (B-3,LB-3, NB-16) 22
Total (for 8 wickets in 127 overs) 279
Fall of wickets: 1-104, 2-108, 3-120, 4-150, 5-174, 6-189, 7-220, 8-226.
Bowling: Maninder Singh 7-2-14-0
Nitin Agarwal 15-5-36-2
Amit Mishra 29-6-81-2
Dharmichand 24-10-44-0
Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan 35-10-55-2
Ishan Ganda 13-3-28-2
Goutam Ganbhir 3-0-11-0
Y Gnaneswar Rao 1-0-4-0.

Mail Cricket Editor