Lokesh Rahul, Naman Ojha make half tons in Board XI's modest 296

Lokesh Rahul enhanced his case forinclusion in Indias first Test XI with a composed halfcentury guiding Board Presidents XI past a difficult periodon day one of the twoday practice game against visiting SouthAfrica in Mumbai on FridayWatched by selector Syed Saba Karim Rahul showed plentyof grit against the top class South African new ball attackbefore opening out to play some pleasing shots and make 72 ina stay of 292 minutes at the Brabourne StadiumShardul Thakur 2L celebrates with teammates the dismissal of South Africas Simon Harmer on the first day of a twoday match between THE Board Presidents XI and South Africa at The Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Friday PicAFPRahul who struck 13 fours in 132 balls and stood up tothe new ball well steered BP XI out of the rut with apartnership of 105 runs for the third wicket with Karnatakateammate Karun Nair who scored 44 in 108 minutes stayWicketkeeper Naman Ojha later feasted on the spinnerswhile making 52 in 110 minutes with 7 fours and a six beforehe was dismissed by Dale Steyn for his third wicket when thefast bowler came back for his third spell after teaHardik Pandya 47 used the long handle later to smack 3sixes and 6 fours before giving off spinner Simon Harmer thesecond of his three wickets for the innings and then Board XIwere all out for 296 in 785 overs just before the second newball became dueIn the remaining time the visiting openers Stiaan vanZyl 18 and Dean Elgar 18 not out made a brisk start of 38before the former was dismissed by Shardul ThakurThakur then sent back night watchman Harmer 4 in thelast over to leave the visitors at 46 for 2 at stumps TheMumbai medium pacer finished with 2 for 28In the morning after opting to bat the home team plungedinto trouble when opener Unmukt Chand poked at the fifth ballfrom Steyn that swung away and edged to the slip cordonBoard XI captain Cheteshwar Pujara also fighting to getinto the final XI for the opening Test commencing at Mohali onNovember 5 was the next to go edging the other new ballbowler Vernon Philander to gully for 5 after a stay of 23minutesAnd when Shreyas Iyer was beaten for pace by Steyn to becaught behind for 9 by a diving wicketkeeper Dane Vilas theinnings was wobbling at 27 for 3 by the 9th over and Steynsfiery first spell was a very impressive 51132The dire situation called for some cautious approachagainst the potent pace battery of South Africa to survive andrebuild and Board XI found the men in Rahul and Nair to do thejobThe two edging a few balls saw off the two openingbowlers while exercising caution against Steyn Phialander andthe lanky Morne Morkel who did not concede a run in his fiveovers bowled in two spellsNair played two excellent front foot cover drives offKagiso Rabada in an over before lunch to show his intent andthen both the batsmen played the spin bowlers comfortably totake Board XI to 100 for 3 at lunchThe duo played some streaky shots for fours against Steynand Philander soon after lunch one of those also helpingRahul to reach his 50 in 92 balls and 139 minutes with 10foursIt was then no surprise to see Nair soon edging a ballfrom Philander to Vilas behind the wicket and end the fourthwicket partnershipRahul was lucky to edge Steyn twice for boundaries beforespinners came on to relieve the pace bowlers Eager to makethe most of this opportunity he topedged a slog sweep tofine leg to give Harmer who is likely to play at Mohali hisfourth wicket of the inningsOjha and Jackson then made merry against the slower bowlerstill tea when the score read 208 for 5 before falling in thefirst half hour after resumptionJackson was caught by Steyn off leg spinner Imran Tahirand then Ojha who faced 80 balls in a 110minute essay edgedto the slip cordon when Steyn 3 for 46 came back for histhird spell to leave Board XI at 226 for 7Morkel coming off an injury layoff extracted steepbounce in his short bowling stintPhilander too showed his potency by dismissing Pujara andNair for figures of 2 for 37 Harmer was the most successfulspin bowler with figures of 3 for 41Both teams had decided to utilise all the members of thesquad in the morningBrief scores Board Presidents XI 296 K L Rahul 72 KNair 44 N Ojha 52 H Pandya 47 D Steyn 3 for 46 V Philander2 for 37 S Harmer 3 for 41 South Africa D Elgar not out18 S Thakur 2 for 28