Rayudu shines as Board President`s XI trouble Australia

Chennai: Baroda batsman Ambati Rayudu scored a solid 87 in Indian Board President XI`s first innings as the team was bowled out for 230 by the Australians at the Guru Nanak College Ground here Wednesday.

The Australians ended the second and final day`s play at 15/0 after the host team were bowled out. The Australians were all out for 241 in their first innings Tuesday. Rayudu impressed with his bat after his teammates failed to make an impact with the bat with none scoring above 24. Only Parvez Rassol, who clinched 7/45 Tuesday, played a handy knock of 36 down the order to boost the hosts past 200. Medium pacer Moises Henriques was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors clinching four wickets in 9.3 overs, giving away only 12 runs. Offie Nathan Lyon took 3/69 in 13 overs while James Pattinson, Glenn Maxwell and Ashton Agar chipped in with apiece. This was the first of the two practice matches for the Australian team who are here to play the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which starts Feb 22. The visitors play their next three-day practice match against India A here Feb 16-18. IANS