Rain washed out the final session of the third four-day match between South Africa A and India A in Bloemfontein on Thursday, resulting in a 0-0 series draw.

Having been set a target of 304 to win, India were 90-3 at tea when the rain arrived.

Earlier in the day, Sarel Erwee scored 97 and Zubayr Hamza an unbeaten 125 as SA A declared their second innings closed on 311-3.

The pair added 25 runs to the overnight total of 196-1 before Erwee fell agonisingly short of a deserved hundred when he was trapped lbw by Krishnappa Gowtham. It ended the 178-run second-wicket partnership.

Hamza then combined for a 66-run stand with Tony de Zorzi (33) before Gowtham removed the latter.

SA A’s declaration left the best part of two sessions remaining for either team to win the game.

Despite making a good start to their run chase, India A were pegged back on three occasions by Senuran Muthusamy, Migael Pretorius and Lutho Sipamla.

SA A’s hopes of forcing a result were dashed soon after the tea break when the heavens opened.

Sipamla was named Man of the Match, with Erwee winning the Man of the Series award.