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PHOTOS: Kohli, Cowan tons light up Day 2 of warm-up match

Test hopeful Ed Cowan's 109 off 154 balls, inclusive of 16 fours, was the highlight of Cricket Australia Chairman's XI's reply to the Indians' first innings total of 269 on Day 2 of the second warm-up game at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Tuesday. 

The 29-year-old Cowan, who firmly brought himself on to the selectors' frame for the Boxing Day Test with his brilliant century, believes Australian batsmen can score runs against the touring attack if they are prepared to dig their heels in the forthcoming Test series. 

"I definitely think once you get in against those seamers, if the conditions are right, you can certainly score some runs," said Cowan.

Cowan could replace struggling Hughes

The Chairman's XI ended the day on 215 for 7 from 59 overs, but the opener Cowan did enough from the 154 balls he faced to press his claims for a place in the side for the Boxing Day Test.

He has now stepped up on the two occasions the selectors fielded him against international touring teams.

Save a run-out missed by umpire John Ward while on 95, his knock was without blemish. He also scored a brilliant 145 against New Zealand playing for Australia 'A' last month.

With two big tons for Tasmania and a first-class average of 54.12 this year, he could replace the struggling Phil Hughes in Australia's side for the first Test against India.

'Yadav has a quick bouncer'

Young India pacer Umesh Yadav went for 29 runs from his five overs and a return of one wicket, but looked impressive. 

His showing drew applause from Cowan. 

"Young Yadav can certainly get it through and he's got a quick bouncer," said Cowan after the day's play. 

However, there was concern in the Indian camp as senior pacer Zaheer Khan looked pedestrian, failing to impress in his return to the squad after an injury lay-off. 

The 33-year-old pacer bowled 10 overs in two spells and conceded 41 runs without ever looking like picking a wicket.

Kohli at ease against CAC XI attack

Virat Kohli, unbeaten on 55 at the end of Day 1, continued in same vein and scored 132 before becoming one of the five victims of left-arm spinner Jon Holland, who claimed six for 70. 

Kohli struck 18 fours and two sixes for his 132 runs from 171 balls.

He was at ease against the home side attack and even hit Holland for two sixes down the ground before the left-arm spinner had his revenge.

Holland bags six wickets

Left-arm spinner Holland, a 25-year-old cricketer from Victoria who visited India with the Australian squad last year but did not play in any of the scheduled seven ODIs, went on to also dismiss Mahendra Singh Dhoni, R Ashwin (4), Zaheer Khan (0) and Abhimanyu Mithun (0) for morning figures of five for 33 from 9.1 overs.

He finished with figures of 18.1-2-70-6.