De Villiers' century lights up drawn warm-up game

The middle-order batsman rescued the South Africans after an iffy start to their innings, to eventually establish a first-innings lead. The match was called off after a safe start by openers to India's second innings.

Published : Oct 31, 2015 15:03 IST , Chennai

AB de Villiers took 18 boundaries in his 131-ball 112.
AB de Villiers took 18 boundaries in his 131-ball 112.
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AB de Villiers took 18 boundaries in his 131-ball 112.

An attacking century from AB de Villiers rescued stuttering South Africans against Board President’s XI on the second day of the warm-up match in Mumbai. Shardul Thakur, the right-arm seamer, scythed through the top half of the batting line-up, reducing the South Africans to 57 for 5, before de Villiers stitched fruitful partnerships with Temba Bavuma and Dane Vilas, who scored a half-century. Dale Steyn's quickfire 37 at No. 10 lifted them to 302, six ahead of the Indian side.

South Africans bowled only spin in the second innings, providing warm-ups to off-spinners Simon Harmer and Dane Piedt, leg-spinner Imran Tahir, and part-timer Dean Elgar. They bowled 30 overs, negotiated safely by KL Rahul and captain Cheteshwar Pujara, who had promoted himself to the opening spot. Pujara was unbeaten on 49, and Rahul unbeaten on 43, when the match was called off.

De Villiers’ knock of 112 off 131 balls featured 18 fours.

South Africans' No. 4 du Plessis was dismissed lbw to Thakur 15 balls into the first session of the day, after the visitors resumed their innings at 46 for 2. Within the next five overs, Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar had also departed, the latter by Rajasthan's 20 year old, Nathu Singh. De Villiers got a stable partner in Bavuma, who stuck with him for 11.3 overs, and later, wicketkeeper Vilas.

For India, Thakur claimed four wickets, all of the top or middle-order batsmen.

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