The Proteas batsmen made the England Lions toil for the whole of day two of their warm-up match, ending the day on 382-4.
Beginning the day on 58-1, Heino Kuhn and Hashim Amla picked up where they left off after day one. The pair kept the scoreboard ticking with ease as they reached the three-figure mark in the 28th over. Kuhn was first to reach his half-century three overs later off 97 balls. Amla continued to bide his time, before bringing up his own fifty with a boundary off Keaton Jennings off 103 balls.
Kuhn continued to impress on his unofficial Proteas debut, moving his score to 80 off 126 balls. The Lions finally saw the back of Kuhn in the 41st over, albeit through the Proteas’ decision to retire the batsman out. Amla was joined by JP Duminy, and together they brought up the team 200. Duminy’s 32-ball knock of 25 came to an end when he was caught off the bowling of George Garton.
Amla continued to make the bowlers earn his wicket as he sounded a warning to England ahead of the first Test at Lord’s. Once again the bowlers failed to see off a set Proteas batsman, Amla retiring for a fantastic 91 (12 fours, one six). Theunis de Bruyn’s stay at the crease was brief, as he lasted just four balls before departing without scoring.
Quinton de Kock dispelled any concerns over his form after an indifferent Champions Trophy with a handy fifty. Together he and Temba Bavuma saw the Proteas into the 300s, before De Kock was sent on his way for 51 (six fours, one six) by his old KES schoolmate Jennings.
Chris Morris joined Bavuma in the middle and allowed him to continue his free-flowing innings. Bavuma passed the 50-run mark off 79 balls, striking six fours in the process. Morris proved the perfect foil to Bavuma as he played a watchful knock.
Despite the bowlers’ best efforts, they could not break the stand as Bavuma (85*) and Morris (25*) guided their side to 382-4 when bad light stopped play in the 98th over. No further play was possible and stumps were called.
