MUMBAI - West Indies ``A'' failed to capitalise on their early success and were kept in the field all day on the opening day of their three-day match against an India Board President's XI yesterday.

The home team, who chose to bat after winning the toss at the Brabourne Stadium, recovered from a position of 61 for three just after lunch to reach 252 for seven at the close.

The fightback was led by captain Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Amay Khurasiya, the pair adding 112 for the fourth wicket before leg-spinner Rawl Lewis removed both.

Kanitkar, who is regarded as one of the most promising young batsmen in India, made 68 with eight fours in 3 1/2 hours of batting, while Khurasiya hit 65 off 83 balls with seven fours and a six.

Lewis also picked up another wicket to finish with three for 70 from 21 overs, but he was guilty of bowling eight no-balls.

Left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell collected two wickets and there was one each to fast bowler Pedro Collins and occasional medium-pacer Keith Semple.

Collins struck the first blow by having Jitender Singh caught by debutant wicket-keeper Wayne Philip with the total on 31 in the day's 19th over.

The early containment in the first session was due mainly to fast bowler Reon King, whose 17 overs cost just 22 runs.

The India President's XI reached 54 for two at lunch, but Kanitkar and Khurasiya lifted the tempo in the pre-tea session in which 119 runs were scored.

Sherwin Campbell is leading the West Indies ``A'' team who left out Ian Bishop, Courtney Browne, Carl Tuckett and Chris Gayle.

Day 2: Spinner Snares West Indies 'A'

MUMBAI - Teenaged spinner Harbhajan Singh, whose bowling action has come under close scrutiny, routed West Indies ``A'' on the second day of their three-day match against the Indian Board President's XI yesterday.

Singh, who was on Tuesday recalled to the Indian team for next month's tour of New Zealand, took six for 63 as West Indies ``A'' were dismissed for 209 in reply to the President's XI 260.

The home side were 63 for two at the close, a lead of 114.

The 19-year-old off-spinner was dropped for the mini-World Cup in Bangladesh and the Champions Trophy in Sharjah after the International Cricket Council raised doubts about his action.

Indian cricket selectors reinstated Harbhajan when he was cleared by former England spinner Fred Titmus during a two-day visit to London earlier this month.

Harbhajan has never been called for throwing by umpires.

Richard Smith topscored for the West Indies with 48, while Adrian Griffith made 44.

Earlier Pedro Collins took the last three wickets after the President's XI resumed at 252 for seven. Collins finished with four for 56.