Sharma, Kohli rescue Board President's XI against Australia

Hyderabad, Oct 2 (IANS) Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli slammed centuries to rescue Board President's XI as the hosts piled 371 for six against Australia on the first day of the four-day warm-up match here Thursday.

With India reeling at 59 for the loss of three wickets, Rohit Sharma, who was left out of the Test squad Wednesday, gave selectors a reality check with a solid 105.

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Kohli (105) struck an identical innings and the duo added 144 runs for the fifth wicket after four for 120 to take their side to a comfortable position.

Board President XI chose to bat but Australian pace attack got the early breakthrough to dash their hopes of a good start.

Mitchell Johnson (3-62) removed Akash Chopra (25) and Yuvraj Singh (29) while Stuart Clark got rid of Wasim Jaffer. In between, Peter Siddle trapped Subramaniam Badrinath and the hosts were soon in dire straits.

Australian spinners were handed heavy punishment, particularly Jason Krezga, who found himself at the the receiving end of Rohit's fluent strokeplay.

The Maharashtra batsman got past his fifty in a Clark over where he picked up 14 runs with two square cuts and a six over long-on. He hit 12 boundaries and four sixes before falling to Johnson.

At the other end, Kohli chugged along nicely, getting the occasional boundaries. He bade his time before attacking the spinners with good feet movement.

Brett Lee finally trapped Kohli to end his 146-ball stay which included 14 boundaries and one six.

Parthiv Patel (49) and Irfan Pathan (17) were at the crease when stumps were drawn.