Kevin Sinclair’s unbeaten 80 helped the West Indies A clinch a one-wicket win against South Africa A on the final day of the first four-day match in Benoni.
The visitors resumed at Willowmoore Park requiring 216 more runs to win with 10 wickets in hand, but it was paceman Mihlali Mpongwana (3-25), together with double strikes from Hardus Viljoen (2-43) and Dane Piedt (2-58), that set up an exhilarating finish.
Mpongwana struck the first blow two overs into the start of play as he had overnight batsman Zachary McCaskie caught behind for six.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kirk McKenzie then combined to add 66 runs before Piedt removed the latter for 36.
Mpongwana claimed his second of the innings after Chanderpaul (35) was adjudged lbw.
Once he departed, the visitors lost their next four wickets for just 22 runs. Kavem Hodge (12) became Mpongwana’s third scalp as he edged one behind before Duanne Olivier (1-36) removed Tevin Imlach (two) one ball later.
Viljoen then bowled Joshua Da Silva (five), while Tshepho Moreki (1-42) had Akeem Jordan (five) caught behind to leave the West Indies A reeling at 119-7 with another 105 runs still required for victory.
Sinclair (80* off 150 balls, eight fours, three sixes) led the fightback with Jayden Seales (12) and Jair McAllister (seven not out off 34 balls) in support.
Sinclair and McAllister fended off the SA A bowling attack with a nerve-wrecking 53-run last wicket stand to secure a tense win for the tourists.
The result means the West Indies A lead the three-match series 1-0.
The second match gets underway on Tuesday at Buffalo Park in East London.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images
