At least Vilas had his eye on the ball ...

THE most important question posed in yesterday’s press conferences at the Brabourne Stadium was to Board President’s XI wicket-keeper Naman Ojha.

It had nothing to do with his well-paced 52 off 80 balls, which not only helped his team reach 296 against the Proteas but also boosted his own national team aspirations.

Despite all that, the one issue that needed answering was whether or not KL Rahul’s edge to Hashim Amla was a dropped catch or had it bounced short.

Such was the media contingent’s focus yesterday that the matter had sparked a debate that went deep into the afternoon. For added effect, the question was saved for last.

“So, did the ball carry?” Ojha, looking puzzled for a man tasked with a weighty verdict, needed the question repeating.

“You know … Rahul, nick … went to Amla … did it bounce before or was it a drop catch?” came the urgent follow-up.

Ojha, brow still flummoxed at the googly presented to him, scratched his head and cleared his throat.

“I didn’t see it but it must have dropped short,” he said.

There was a moment of confused silence before yours truly and the few journalists who had insisted it had bounced short roared into applause.

Ojha stood up, still perplexed, and walked away, wondering what the fuss was about.

As the non-striker at the time, he probably should have recalled what had occurred, but he has a reputation for keeping his head firmly in the clouds between balls.

Yesterday, though, he composed himself to good effect as his half- century showed he could bat for long periods, especially against a South African spin attack that had mixed results.

“I think our spinners all bowled well at different times, but we all have things we can improve on,” Proteas wicketkeeper Dane Vilas said.

“( Proteas spin bowling coach) Claude Henderson had a chat with them after lunch and I thought they came back brilliantly. Their line before lunch was maybe too straight, and your line here is key.

“They went a bit wider after lunch, and you also have to work to get that extra bounce,” the gloveman added.

Vilas, as the only specialist keeper on tour, has a big job on his hands, including getting used to the SG ball which will be in play for the Test series. It seemed to wobble in the air yesterday, often after it passed the bat, making life tricky.

“It was very difficult at a stage, especially when Morné ( Morkel) and KG ( Kagiso Rabada) hit the deck. They don’t normally swing it as much as Dale (Steyn) and Vern (Vernon Philander), but it was moving quite a lot, especially when the lacquer came off the ball, around the 15th over,” Vilas said.

“It was a good experience to see that now. We were actually surprised at how well the ball held up, though. It was a lot better than we expected after what we heard, and I think that guys are happy.

“Hopefully we will get more out of it as we get used to it.”

At least one keeper kept his eye diligently on the ball yesterday.