Junior Dala’s three strikes on day four of the first unofficial Test saw India A bowled out for 211, as SA A claimed a 235-run victory in Pretoria on Tuesday.
It was a masterclass bowling performance by the Zambian-born Titans quick, whose match figures of 6-72 were vital in their dominance over the touring side.
His cameo, which saw him take 1-36 in India A’s first innings, helped SA A to skittle the visitors for 121, as the Proteas batters piled more runs upon their already hefty lead in their second innings.
India never looked settled in their second innings, after an Andile Phehlukwayo double and a run-out put them on the back foot at 53-3 (15.3 overs).
Middle-over stints by Karun Nair (30), Ankit Bawne (46) and Ishan Kishan (39) sparked a temporary India recovery, but two from Dala and a scalp from Shaun von Berg reduced the visitors to 192-6 by the end of day three.
With India already suffering a setback after losing Vijay Shankar due to injury, South Africa A needed just three more wickets for victory on the final day.
Dala was lethal on day four, taking a wicket in each of his three overs to complete a five-for (5-36) and wipe out the India tail.
SA claimed a 235-run win and went up 1-0 in the series, and will face India A in the second Test starting on 26 August.
Dala’s consistency for the Titans and SA A will put him on the radar of national selectors as the 27-year-old continues to impress across all formats.
Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
