Test discard Hemang Badani scored a fine century and young Munaf Patel produced another fiery spell as the three-day match between India 'A' and New Zealand ended in a tame draw in Rajkot on Saturday.

Badani's knock of 127 helped the home side take a slender 28-run lead over the New Zealanders, who were reduced to 68 for four by the draw of stumps at the Corporation stadium.

After Badani's exploits with the bat, untested Patel gave a virtual scare to the tourists ahead of the first Test, when he and spinner Murali Kartik effected a New Zealand batting collapse.

Patel and Kartik took two wickets apiece to reduce the visitors to 37 for 4 by the 12th over before opener Lou Vincent (28 not out) and Craig McMillan (17 not out) stemmed the rot in an eventful last session of play.

India 'A's 28-run first innings lead looked quite impressive at one stage, as the Kiwis, who had made 375 for seven declared in their first innings, lost wickets at regular intervals in their second essay.

First innings centurion Mark Richardson was dismissed early in his second knock when Kartik had him caught by Rohan Gavaskar at mid-on on second attempt.

Richardson's early dismissal saw a promotion in the batting order for Nathan Astle, who had failed to open his account in the first innings. But the stylish batsman did not last long

as he fell leg before to Patel for five.

Skipper Stephen Fleming also failed with the bat for the second consecutive time when he became Patel's second victim after making just three.

Fleming, who made 27 in the first innings, was snapped by Gavaskar at the point region with New Zealand's on 34. Three runs later Kartik dealt another blow when he had all-rounder Scott Styris nicking one to wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta. Styris failed to open his account.

With time running out, the home team pressed hard for a few more wickets but Vincent and McMillan played out the remaining 15 overs to force the draw.

Earlier, Badani scored a magnificent century to frustrate the Kiwi bowlers who toiled hard to prevent the India 'A' from taking the lead.

Playing with a fractured hand, Badani struck 16 fours and six sixes during his 186-ball knock to become the fourth centurion of the match.

Resuming at his overnight score of seven, Badani added 72 runs with wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta (21). The Tamil Nadu batsman, who was dropped by Paul Wiseman when on 81, reached the three figure mark in style lifting left arm spinner Daniel Vettori for a six over long-on.

Scoreboard

New Zealand (1st innings): 375 for seven decl.

India 'A' (1st innings): (overnight 216 for four)
A Chopra c Wiseman b Oram 66
S Ramesh c Fleming b Tuffey 110
C Willams c Styris b Vettori 4
M Kaif c Hart b Styris 4
H Badani c Hart b McMillan 127
M Kartik c Hart b Oram 10
R Gavaskar c Richardson b Vettori 1
D Dasgupta c Hart b Tuffey 21
Sreesanth b Vettori 16
R P Singh c Hart b Tuffey 13
M Patel not out 0

Extras (lb-9, b-1, w-1, nb-20): 31

Total (all out, 132 overs): 403

Fall of wickets: 1-164, 2-170, 3-195, 4-209, 5-225, 6-228, 7-300, 8-386, 9-403

Bowling: Tuffey 31-14-68-3, Oram 28-4-86-2, Styris 9-2-45-1, Vettori 37-9-96-3, McMillan 6-2-22-1, Wiseman 21-3-76-0.

New Zealand (2nd innings):
M Richardson c Gavaskar b Kartik 7
L Vincent not out 28
N Astle lbw b Patel 5
S Fleming c Gavaskar b Patel 3
S Styris c Dasgupta b Kartik 0
C McMillan not out 17.

Extras: (nb-8) 8

Total: (for 4 wkts, 23 overs) 68

Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-23, 3-34, 4-37.

Bowling: Patel 9-2-22-2, Kartik 11-1-41-2, Gavaskar 3-1-5-0.