India outplayed, warm-up game against Somerset ends in draw

Taunton: India were left bruised and battered as they were shot out for a mere 224 in their first innings and then allowed Somerset to score at a rollicking pace before the three-day warm-up game ended in an expected tame draw on the final day here today.

The world number one side, who rested a few top players including captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the only tour game, were outplayed by Somerset for most part of the day except for the brief period when Suresh Raina launched a counter-attack to score a dazzling unbeaten 103.

India were completely outplayed by the English county side in the first two days also. They go into the first Test of the four-match series starting on July 21 after being at the receiving end of a county side in the tour game.

After shooting India out for 224 in the morning session, Somerset scored at an amazing 6.34 runs per over to declare their second innings at 260 for two from just 41 overs at the tea break itself, leaving India an impossible victory target of 462.

England captain Andrew Strauss, who was featuring in the practice game as a guest player for Somerset, top-scored with an unbeaten 109 while Peter Trego also remained not out with a 57-ball blitzkrieg of 85 which was studded with seven fours and sixes apiece.

In their second innings, India were 69 for no loss before rain brought the proceedings to a close. Abhinav Mukund and Gautam Gambhir, who led the visiting side in the absence of Dhoni, were on 33 and 36 respectively when the two sides decided to end the game.

It was struggle again for the Indian bowlers on the final day with Strauss and Trego sending them for a leatherhunt by raining fours and sixes in Somerset's second innings.