NEW DELHI: Back-up opener Luke Ronchi made his case for selection in the first Test with a cracking century as New Zealand only warm-up match of the India tour ended in a draw against Mumbai at the Feroz Shah Kotla here on Sunday.Ronchi's racy 107-run knock was the highlight of New Zealanders second innings which ended at 235 all out in 66.4 overs on the third and final day, providing the visiting side more batting practice ahead of the first Test beginning in Kanpur on September 22.Mumbai, starting the day at 431 for five, batted for 11 overs before declaring at 464 for eight to end up with a 140-run first innings lead. And eventually he did that with a commanding performance.The day three pitch did have some usual wear and tear but not enough to trouble the batting side consistently. He clobbered three sixes and as many fours in the second half of his innings.As he punished the bowlers, wickets kept falling at the other end and by the time he was stumped after scoring a sublime hundred, New Zealand were left at a precarious 162 for six, just 22 ahead of Mumbai with more than a session remaining in the day.However, B J Watling (43) and Latham (25) calmed nerves in the dressing room after resuming from the tea break at 187 for six in 49 overs. They shared a 55-run stand to guide the team to safety. The game ended before the stipulated time when Ish Sodhi mishit one to be caught at mid-on.324/7d and 235 all out in 66.4 overs (Ronchi 107, Watling 43; Valsangkar 3/41) drew with464/8d in 114 overs

Source: Times of India September 18, 2016 11:15 UTC