Press Trust of India
Mumbai, Oct 31: Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur (4/70) pushed South Africa to the back-foot before the classy AB de Villiers (112, 131b, 18×4) rallied the tourists with a typically aggressive century on the second and last day of the practice game against Board President’s XI which ended in a draw here Saturday.
The visitors, replying to Board XI’s modest first innings tally of 296 and commencing the day at the overnight 46 for two, were reeling at 57 for five following a double strike by Thakur before recovering through two partnerships – both involving De Villiers – to score 3012 all out. When play was called off, the hosts were 92 for no loss in their second innings with KL Rahul (43 n o) and Cheteshwar Pujara (49 n o) at the crease.
Thakur, who had packed off opener Stiaan van Zyl and night watchman Simon Harmer in a short burst Friday evening, continued to trouble the Saturday this morning by dismissing two of their top batsmen – Faf du Plussis (4) and Test captain Hashim Amla (1) — to leave them gasping at 57 for five. Then the other pacer Nathu Singh had Dean Elgar edging behind and the visitors had half the side back in the hut for 57.
However, De Villiers started the rescue act by putting on 54 runs with Temba Bavuma (15) for the sixth wicket to steady the innings. Then he put on another 115 runs for the seventh wicket with glovesman Dane Vilas (54, 78b, 7×4) to bring some respectability to the South African total.
Brief scores: Board President’s XI 296 and 92 for no loss (KL Rahul n o 43, C Pujara n o 49); South Africa 302 (AB de Villiers 112, Dane Vilas 58, Shardul Thakur 4/70). Match drawn.
