Raina the lone ranger
Suresh Raina lifted India's spirits with an unbeaten 103 against Somerset as the tourists survived with a barely-deserved draw in their only warm-up match ahead of the first Test against England.
Raina's century was the only bright spot in a gloomy trip to the western country for India, who struggled with bat and ball and also allowed England Test captain Andrew Strauss to rediscover his form with scores of 78 and 109.
The Indians had been completely out-played by Somerset on the first two days of this three-day match and started Sunday's play on 138-8 after allowing the hosts to amass 425-3 declared in their first innings.
India's battling line-up had been demolished by South African left-arm seamer Charl Willoughby, who took 5-50 on Saturday as the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid failed to deliver.
Willoughby quickly claimed his sixth wicket on Sunday as he bowled Sreesanth, but Raina, who began the day on 30, cut loose after that to restore some pride for the tourists.
The 24-year-old added 84 for the final wicket in an explosive 12-over partnership with Munaf Patel, who contributed just six as Raina hit 15 fours and five sixes to reach 103 in 112 balls.
SCORES IN BRIEF
Somerset 425-3 declared (Suppiah 156, Compton 88, Strauss 78, Jones 51) and 260-2 declared (Strauss 109 not out, Trego 85 not out) v India 224 (Raina 103 not out; Willoughby 6-76) and 69-0
Result: Match drawn.
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