The contrasting approach by the teams after being rattled by fiery spells from the fast bowlers summed up the first day’s play of the warm-up match between England Lions and Board President’s XI at the KCA-St. Xavier’s College ground on Sunday.
Lions suffered a collapse, triggered by Ankit Rajpoot (four for 20), before scratching around to score 145 for six off its allotted 60 overs in the first innings. In reply, Board President’s XI didn’t have the best of starts as James Porter made early inroads. But that didn’t deter Siddesh Lad first, and Ishan Kishan later, from launching a counter-attack. At stumps, Board President’s XI had raced to 134 for five off 30 overs.
In the morning, Lions openers Max Holden and Alex Davies calmly went about their business of blunting the new ball, adding 53. It was at this stage that a change of ends brought instant rewards for Rajpoot who extracted bounce and movement to have the Englishmen hopping. Davies (11) was snapped up at slip and Ben Duckett (0) trapped in front.
Skipper Sam Billings (0) was tempted to nick an outswinger while Holden (38), who had looked so assured, lost the plot by swishing at a delivery moving away and was caught by Kishan. England lost four wickets for just seven runs during this period.
This was followed by a period of consolidation through Ollie Pope and Sam Haines. The duo added 46 before Saurabh Kumar had the former lbw for 24. Haines remained unbeaten on 40.
After Porter’s initial burst reduced Board President’s XI to seven for two, Lad hammered a string of boundaries before a peach of a delivery from Zak Chappell ended his stay.
Kishan, in the company of Priyam Garg, treated the spinners with disdain to forge a 41-run stand for the fifth wicket. Dominic Bess got a lucky break when Priyam was adjudged lbw. But Ishan and new man Rinku Singh, who remained unseparated at stumps, added 30 for the sixth wicket.
The scores: England Lions — 1st innings 145 for six in 60 overs (Sam Hain 40 n.o., Max Holden 38, Ankit Rajpoot four for 20) vs Board President’s XI 134 for five in 30 overs ( Ishan Kishan 40 batting).