South Africa A coach, Shukri Conrad, was disappointed with the manner in which his side lost to Sussex on Friday.
The match was a wake-up call ahead of their final match against the England Lions, starting on Tuesday.
The visitors were bowled out for scores of 185 and then 223 in their follow-on innings in Arundel as they slumped to an innings and 50-run defeat on Friday.
It was the second of two first-class warm-up matches on the trip, which now culminates with a one-off, four-day encounter against their English counterparts from 21-24 June.
‘The clash against Sussex didn’t go as planned,’ a disappointed Conrad said.
‘Obviously it was not a great result and that goes without saying, because it’s never enjoyable to lose and especially in the manner in which we did. Hopefully it serves as a real wake-up call.’
SA A went into the game high on confidence after beating Hampshire in their first four-day outing in Southampton, but they folded against Sussex, losing inside three days.
The spin bowling duo of Will Beer and Abidine Sakande claimed 13 of the 14 final day wickets between them, with the former ending the game with 11 for 91.
‘There were some really soft dismissals, but we almost backed off a little bit,’ Conrad explained.
‘As well as they bowled, both Sakande and Beer, I didn’t think we played particularly well, so come Wednesday, we’ve really got to make sure everybody is up for the game.’
The South Africans have already lost the one-day leg of the trip 2-0 to the Lions. Conrad believes that the entire trip was nonetheless a learning experience for his charges.
‘It’s all part of preparing for our game against the Lions,’ he added. ‘It’s all about getting guys into form, some have done so already and others haven’t unfortunately.
‘It’s important we shake off what’s gone before in this tour and look to finish the trip properly. But I’m really positive despite the result against Sussex.
‘I’m pleased how some of the guys have gone about their business, it really has been about giving everyone opportunities before the four-day match against the Lions.
‘We’ve got two days to prepare on Monday and on Tuesday and then we are on to that match. So we’re looking forward to it and everyone is determined to do better.’
South Africa ‘A’ squad for four-day series against England Lions: Heino Kuhn (Multiply Titans), Aiden Markram- captain (Multiply Titans), Theunis de Bruyn (VKB Knights), Temba Bavuma (bizhub Highveld Lions), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jason Smith (Cape Cobras), Heinrich Klaasen – wk (Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (bizhub Highveld Lions), Rudi Second (VKB Knights), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras), Dane Paterson (Cape Cobras), Duanne Olivier (VKB Knights), Junior Dala (Multiply Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Cape Cobras).
South Africa ‘A’ tour to UK itinerary:
21-24 June ‘A’ Test v Lions The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
