India A vs England Lions Live Updates From Day 4: Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy, vying for the sole seam-bowling all-rounder’s spot in the Test team, underperformed against a resolute England Lions batting line-up that finished day three on 527/7. The four-day opener against India A is drifting towards a draw.

Seamer Mukesh Kumar’s spell with the old Dukes ball (3/75 in 21 overs) was the only bright spot in an otherwise lacklustre bowling display from India on Sunday. The bowling lacked the penetration needed to make inroads on a placid pitch, and Abhimanyu Easwaran’s captaincy, like his batting, left much to be desired.

Between them, Shardul (1/90 in 21 overs) and Reddy (0/57 in 11 overs) sent down 32 overs, with the former enjoying an extended spell. However, neither looked likely to trouble a steadfast Tom Haines (171) or a spirited Dan Mousley (113), who scored his maiden first-class century.

While Reddy took two spells to locate his ideal length, Shardul appeared uninspired. Both are competing directly for the number 7 position in the Indian Test XI for the Leeds Test, but their average speeds hovered around 75mph (120kph) and 78mph (125kph).

Shardul did claim a wicket, but the credit belonged to Sarfaraz Khan, positioned wide of first slip, who took a spectacular one-handed diving catch to dismiss Haines, denying him a double century.

Whether the pair, both in the Test squad, were instructed to ease off after lunch and tea is debatable. However, if the senior management sought to determine which of the two could consistently bowl 10-12 overs a day in English conditions, they likely remain undecided.

Replying to India A’s substantial first-innings total of 557, England Lions benefited from excellent batting performances from overnight centurion Haines and Max Holden (101), who reached three figures in the morning session.