Tour match, Mohali (day three of three):
Australia 505-8 dec & 187-6 dec drew with Indian Board President's XI 177 & 174-0
Match scorecard (external site)

Watson looks in good form heading into the Ashes in November

Opener Shane Watson hit a century in each innings as Australia drew with an Indian Board President's XI in a warm-up game for their two-Test tour.

Watson followed up his first-innings 115 with 104 not out as the tourists declared their second innings on 187-6.

Ajinkya Rahane smashed an unbeaten 113 off 111 balls as the Indians reached 174-0 to easily hold on for a draw.

Australian spinners Nathan Hauritz and Steve Smith struggled in the match, claiming just one wicket between them.

The duo were hit for 75 runs from 18 wicketless overs in the second innings as Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara (52 not out) ensured an entertaining finish after Australia's declaration had left the home side with just one session to bat - and a theoretical victory target of 516.

606: DEBATE Watson, Katich and North are in ominous form stazz229

Watson aside, it was a shaky performance with the bat from Australia in their second innings, with captain Ricky Ponting making only nine, Michael Clarke 23 and Tim Paine a duck as leg-spinner Piyush Chawla took three wickets.

Australia had made 505-8 declared in their first innings before dismissing the home side for 177, largely thanks to seamer Ben Hilfenhaus, who took 5-47.

The first Test begins in Mohali on Friday.

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