Rudi Second’s 94 helped South Africa A squeeze out 246-8 on day one against India A in the first unofficial Test in Bengaluru.
It was a troublesome day for South Africa A as they struggled to grab hold of their innings. Sarel Erwee did his best to keep the innings on a stable footing for the first 35 overs while his batting partners collapsed at the other end of the pitch. Cobras duo Pieter Malan and Zubayr Hamza both failed to contribute, losing their wickets to Mohammed Siraj on seven and nought respectively.
Dolphins duo Khaya Zondo and Senuran Muthusamy both fell to Navdeep Saini, with the former scoring 24 off 51 balls and the latter 23 off 76 balls.
Erwee showed signs of the form he displayed during his unbeaten 117 in the warm-up match against the Indian Board President’s XI, until he became his side’s fourth wicket to fall, three runs short of his half-century, with South Africa A’s score on 93.
Second ignored his teammates’ struggles as he marched to his half-century and continued to bat through the day, despite losing Shaun von Berg on 15.
SA A crept past the 200-run mark before losing their seventh with the score on 209, Dane Piedt being trapped leg before for five off 26 balls.
Second’s effort was ended by Siraj who picked up his third wicket with the batsman six runs short of his century. SA A finished the day on 246-8 with Malusi Siboto on 13 and Beuran Hendricks on six.
