Practice Match: Sehwag shines on final day

Sehwag smashed a rousing century and Dinesh Kaarthick (97) came near one as India's three-day practice match against the ACT XI ended in a draw at the Manuka Oval.

In contrast, Yuvraj came a cropper again, managing just three in the second innings.

After India declared at the tea time score of 281 for four, the hosts, chasing an improbable target of 314 runs from 33 overs, were greeted by some early blows before they slumped to 60 for three at stumps.

The final 15 mandatory overs were not bowled as the Indians, presumably, wanted to be in time for the evening function at the Indian High Commissioner's residence.

India had declared their first innings at 325 for 9, in reply to which the hosts had made 292 for eight before declaring their essay.

In contrast to the strong impression which Sehwag and Kaarthik created, the two batsmen under the pump, Wasim Jaffer (21) and Yuvraj again disappointed in their second outing.

Jaffer fell to the leg-spinner Ryan Bulger while Yuvraj drove a low full toss from medium-pacer Adam Perera into the hands of short extra cover.

Sehwag had reprieves at 16 and 92 but it was a vintage stuff from the Delhi dasher who peppered the offside region with brutal strokes in a knock of 113 off just 78 deliveries with 18 fours and two sixes in it.

Sehwag chose to leave all niceties behind in the dressing room and came out with a brutalising intent. He began by smashing three fours off left-arm paceman Perera.

He was lucky on 16 when he was let off at square leg but thereafter proved a scourge to the home bowling.

Sehwag was particularly harsh on Perera whose line outside the off-stump was to the batsman's liking. He wasn't soft on right-hander's either, squeezing out 10 runs in Adam Ritchard's first over.

Leg-spinner Ryan Bulger wilted under the assault after he was hit for 10 runs in his first over.

Sehwag completed his half century from 38 balls, lofting Bulger for a six over extra cover but was lucky on 92 when a mid-on fielder let him off.

Sehwag's three-figure knock was finally raised when he flicked Ritchard for four, celebrating the moment with one through point and a massive six.

Kaarthick opened out after Sehwag had left the stage and in contrast to the latter, played several cultured stroke through the off-side. However, he was dismissed just three short of his century when tried to flick spinner Mark Higg on the onside and missed the line of the delivery.