Petersen, De Zorzi and Fortuin hit fifties on opening day against Windies A
Half-centuries from Keegan Petersen, Tony de Zorzi and Clyde Fortuin steered South Africa A (SA ‘A’) to 287/9 declared on the opening day of the first four-day match against West Indies A at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Tuesday.
Having won the toss and opted to bat first, SA 'A' captain Neil Brand (5) fell to Shermon Lewis (1-59) early on within the first 10 overs of the day’s play.
Zubayr Hamza (30) then joined De Zorzi at the crease and the pair put on 62 runs before the former was dismissed by Jayden Seales (3-23) shortly after lunch.
De Zorzi, who made his Proteas test debut earlier this year against the West Indies, brought up a well-manufactured fifty off 92 balls (8 fours) with Petersen at the other end, but fell a few overs later for 55 after edging Kevin Sinclair (2-64) behind.
Petersen and David Bedingham then combined to add 74 runs – the highest partnership of the innings.
In his first appearance for the A side, Bedingham fell three runs short of a half-century (50 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) as the right-hander was caught at first slip, handing Sinclair his second wicket of the innings.
Petersen (59 off 91 balls, 9 fours) followed soon after when the ball nipped back onto his stumps, giving Akeem Jordan (3-61) his first of three scalps.
The West Indian seamer struck in consecutive overs with Mihlali Mpongwana caught behind for one.
Hardus Viljoen added a handy 17 runs before he was bowled through the gate by Jordan.
Dane Piedt (5) was the next man out, trapped leg before by Seales.
While wickets fell regularly around SA 'A' wicketkeeper Fortuin, he continued to accelerate the run-rate and brought up his fifty with a lofty six over long-off.
He fell six balls later to Seales for a 71-ball 53 (7 fours, 1 six) and with his wicket came the declaration on 287/9.
DAY 1| Innings Break
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 21, 2023
🇿🇦 SA 'A' 2️⃣8️⃣7️⃣/9️⃣d
🏏 Keegan Petersen 5️⃣9️⃣
🏏Tony de Zorzi 5️⃣5️⃣
🔗 https://t.co/6mVOWr3Mkt#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/F33mgDAQXg
West Indies began confidently in their reply, with openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (27*) and Zachary McCaskie (17*) striking nine fours between them from the nine overs they were left to navigate before stumps.
South Africa ‘A’ squad against West Indies A
Neil Brand (Momentum Multiply Titans, captain), David Bedingham (Western Province), Ruan de Swardt (North West Dragons), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Clyde Fortuin (Gbets Rocks), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Duanne Olivier (DP World Lions), Dane Patterson (Western Province), Keegan Petersen (Gbets Rocks), Dane Piedt (ITEC Knights), Raynard van Tonder (North West Dragons), Hardus Viljoen (Gbets Rocks) and Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
Tour itinerary
21 – 24 November at 10am
South Africa A v West Indies A – Willowmoore Park in Benoni
28 November – 1 December at 10am
South Africa A v West Indies A – Buffalo Park in East London
5 – 8 December at 10am
South Africa A v West Indies A – Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein
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