Beuran Hendricks’ five-wicket haul helped South Africa A bowl out the Australians for 329, a lead of 109, in Benoni.
At the close, though, SA A had made a determined fightback, with Zubayr Hamza on 25 and Pieter Malan on 27, trailing the Australians by 54 runs.
When it comes to warming up, the Australian tail got more of a run than the top order, as five wickets went down for 131 runs. Only opener Cameron Bancroft tested his stamina, labouring for more than three hours to score 45 off 123 balls until he nicked one from Hendricks down the leg side to be caught behind, much to his obvious anguish.
Pat Cummins, who excelled with the ball on the first day, taking 4-32, led the rearguard resistance, scoring his second first-class fifty which ensured the tourists would not have the humiliation of being bowled out with a deficit.
With solid support, particularly from Nathan Lyon (38 off 34 balls) in a 64-run stand for the ninth wicket, the visitors were able to gain a sizeable lead.
Cummins was unbeaten on 59 off 95 balls, with 11 fours, while Hendricks signed off with 5-83. There were two apiece for Malusi Siboto and Duanne Olivier, benefiting from a pitch with variable bounce on the first day. Olivier may have had more but he was able to bowl only five overs on day two before leaving the field as a result of a badly bruised shoulder, sustained while he was batting on the first day.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
