Kala shines in drawn one-off Test

Hemlata Kala made most of the conditions to post her maiden Test century even as the one-off eves' Test between India and England ended in a tame draw on the fourth and final day in Lucknow on Thursday.

It was mainly through the efforts of Kala that India reached 312 for 9 in their first innings in reply to England's 314 after poor weather rendered a draw as the only possible outcome.

Kala cracked her first Test hundred in her second outing and bagged the woman-of-the match award as a result.

Kala's 110-run knock included 15 hits to the fence and one six off H Wardlow.

She was also associated in a 133-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Mamta Maben who contributed 49 runs.

Kala faced 236 balls in her 279 minutes stay at the crease before she holed out to Caroline Atkins off Wardlow.

Resuming at the overnight score of 95 for one, the Indians lost two quick wickets at the score of 111 but the innings was steadied by skipper Anjum Chopra and Kala. Both played responsibly and took the score past 150, before Anjum was bowled by Clare Connor. Anjum made 45 with the help of five fours.

Kala was the first to go at the total of 301 after which India lost some quick wickets with the tailenders putting very little resistance.

The home team, however, stopped short of England's first innings total of 314 by just two runs in 146 overs. Jhulan Goswami and Neetu David remained unbeaten on one each when stumps were drawn for the day.

India's hopes of breaking the jinx of draws on this ground were dashed after 275 minutes of play was lost in the match due to rains and bad light. Skipper Anjum Chopra had expressed confidence after attaining an unbeatable lead of 3-0 in the one-day series that they would vie for an outright victory in the Test too.

For England Clare Conor and C Taylor claimed two wickets apiece while the remaining wickets were shared by Pearson, B Wardlow and D Holden besides two run-outs.

Neetu David was adjudged the best bowler while England's Atkins was adjudged the best batswoman and C Conor the best allrounder.

Mail Cricket Editor