NICKY OPPENHEIMER XI SET INDIA 245 TO WIN

A 100-run opening partnership opening partnership between Loots Bosman and Rudolph was followed by a stand of 117 between Rudolph and Graeme Smith as the Indian bowlers took their time in settling into South African conditions. Rudolph made 109 before he was out shortly before lunch when the home team declared after 52 overs.

With the home side batting first by agreement, Bosman and Rudolph put on exactly 100 for the first wicket at better than four runs to the over as the Indian bowlers took their time in settling into local conditions.

Bosman was by some distance the senior partner as Rudolph allowed his team-mate to chase the bowling and after the 50 had come up in the 13th over the pair took another 11 overs to reach 100. Bosman was in no way intimidated by the quality of his opposition, hitting Sourav Ganguly twice for six and also hoisting Anil Kumble and Reetinder Singh Sodhi over the ropes.

He also helped himself to four fours in a 77-ball innings that ended on 62 when he chopped one on trying to cut at Kumble.

If Bosman had been adventurous, Rudolph was calm and steady, moving to his 50 after 111 minutes, but with the arrival of Graeme Smith the scoring rate was maintained and the 50 partnership took just 43 minutes.

Rudolph finally reached his century after 167 minutes at the crease and celebrated it by carting Kumble high over square leg for his first six. Kumble had his revenge later in the over, however, when Rudolph lifted towards long on and Virander Sehwag took the catch.

Rudolph played quite beautifully for his 109 which included 19 fours and the six off Kumble and he was followed into the pavilion soon after by Smith, run out for a bright 54 before Jonathan Oppenheimer, the home captain, decided the Indians had had enough.