Cobras all-rounder, Kyle Simmonds, starred for South Africa Emerging as they beat Zimbabwe A by nine wickets in Bulawayo on Sunday.
SA Emerging moved 1-0 up in their two-match four-day series against the hosts by wrapping up the opening match.
Regis Chakabva’s ton anchored Zimbabwe’s first innings as they posted 287. SA Emerging responded by posting a massive 531-9d, thanks to two 100s from Cobra’s duo Simmonds and Kyle Verreynne.
Simmonds completed an excellent all-round performance by backing up his century with a five-for as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 263 in their second innings.
The 23-year-old took 5-74, and Senuran Muthusamy chipped in with 2-66 in the second innings for the home side, who had started the final day on 183-4 and managed just 80 for the final four wickets. The other two wickets were shared by Migael Pretorius (1-37) and Okuhle Cele (1-40).
That left a target of only 20 for the South Africans to chase.
Captain Yaseen Vallie (5), who scored 62 in SA Emerging first innings, was the only wicket to fall as Isaac Digale (14) and Janneman Malan (1) took the tourists across the line in the ninth over.
The second four-day match starts at the Kwekwe Sports Club in Kwekwe on Wednesday.
SA National Academy Men’s Squad: Karabo Mogotsi (Gauteng), Wihan Lubbe (North West), Yaseen Vallie (Gauteng), Tony de Zorzi (Northerns), Janneman Malan (North West), Senuran Muthusamy (KZN), Isaac Digale (North West), Michael Cohen (WP), Lwandiswa Zuma (KZN), Tladi Bokako (EP), Okuhle Cele (KZN), Migael Pretorius (Northerns), Kyle Simmonds (Boland), Thomas Kaber (Northerns), Kyle Verrynne (WP), Matthew Christensen (EP), Wiaan Mulder (Gauteng).
Management team: Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Shane Burger (Assistant Coach), Nandile Tyali (Fitness Trainer), Michael Gwilliams (Physio), Hendrikus Coertzen (Video Analyst).
Photo: CSA/cricket.co.za
