South Africa A were demolished by nine wickets in their first 50-over match against the England Lions on Thursday.
SA A finally got some action on their England tour, after both of their four-day matches were rained out. After losing the toss, SA were sent in to bat first.
The visitors got off to a stuttering start, losing two wickets for 42 runs by the start of the ninth over, Warriors captain Jon-Jon Smuts (15), and Knights captain Theunis de Bruyn (3) both losing their wickets early on.
It was Reeza Hendricks who restored SA’s innings, putting on a 95-run third-wicket partnership with his ex-Highveld Lions teammate Temba Bavuma to take the visitors to 137-3 (24.5 overs).
Hendricks was the first to lose his wicket on 79 off 73 deliveries, followed by Bavuma on 43 in the following over, as the Lions pinned SA back at 141-4.
Titans batsman Heino Kuhn then came to the crease and played an integral role to bat through the innings, as his teammates shrivelled around him. The 33-year-old scored a 62-ball 81 with his captain, Khaya Zondo, managing only 22, as SA A were bowled out for 268 with an over to spare.
The Lions cruised to victory, thanks to quality batting from their top three. Ben Duckett and Ex-Boland player Dawid Malan put on 134 runs off 106 balls before the former was bowled for 69 off 58 balls by Tabraiz Shamsi.
Malan continued his fine form, this time building a partnership with Daniel Bell-Drummond as they took their side home, courtesy of a 135-run partnership.
Malan ended on 125, while Bell-Drummond posted 62 off 76 balls, to take their side to 269-1 with 57 balls remaining.
