South Africa A (SA ‘A’) captain Marques Ackerman delivered a batting masterclass to put his side in a strong position on day two of the first four-day match against England Lions at Arundel Castle Cricket Club Ground on Saturday.
The 30-year-old recorded a fluent 173 off 136 balls (25 fours, 5 sixes), helping guide the visitors to 331 in response to the hosts’ first-innings total of 157.
By stumps, the Lions had fought back to reach 213 for four, holding a slender 39-run lead thanks to an unbeaten 88 from opener Asa Tribe.
“It was one of my better knocks,” said Ackerman. “We were in a bit of trouble, so I had to show intent and manage batting with the tailenders.
“I took the game to the bowlers. I knew there was a lot of movement in the wicket, so I didn’t want to be a sitting duck. I tried to put pressure on the bowlers by scoring as quickly as possible. In doing that, they changed their lengths and tried different things, which took away the lateral movement in the wicket.
“We’ve had two really good days and we’re in a strong position. They’re effectively 39 for four. It will be a big morning for us on day three, and hopefully, we can pick up a few wickets and restrict them to as few runs as possible, because I don’t think it will be easy to chase on day four.”
Resuming the day on 79, Ackerman immediately signalled his intent, smashing 14 runs - including three boundaries - off the first over of the morning. He quickly brought up his century off 87 balls (16 fours, 1 six) to anchor the innings.
COMMANDING FIRST-INNINGS LEAD
At the other end, Nqobani Mokoena (5) was the first to fall, pinned in front by Alfie Ogborne (2-57), which brought Dane Paterson to the crease.
Together, Ackerman and Paterson (27*) produced a vital 103-run stand to stretch the lead. The captain’s brilliant knock finally came to an end when he succumbed to his counterpart, Dan Mousley (2-25).
Mousley then claimed the final wicket of Ottneil Baartman (8) as SA ‘A’ secured a commanding first-innings lead of 174.
Facing a deep deficit, Lions’ opening pair Tribe and Ben McKinney put on 43 runs before Mokoene earned his first scalp of the innings, getting McKinney caught in the slips for 32.
The introduction of Proteas-capped offspinner Prenelan Subrayen (1-62) in the 13th over yielded quick results, as he removed Mousley (15) a few overs into his spell to further dent the hosts’ reply.
That left the Lions on 70 for two, before Paterson (1-37) trapped Ben Geddes (15) leg before wicket with the score on 101.
Despite the regular breakthroughs, Tribe remained steadfast and posted a half-century off 107 balls before the Lions lost their fourth wicket, as some sharp fielding from Tony de Zorzi and Lesego Senokwane combined to run out Charlie Allison (7).
Tribe and Ben Mayes (35*) went untroubled in the final session to see the Lions through to the close.
SOUTH AFRICA A FOUR-DAY SQUAD AGAINST ENGLAND LIONS
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tony de Zorzi (WSB Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Rubin Hermann (North West Dragons), Nqobani Mokoena (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dane Paterson (WSB Western Province), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lesego Senokwane (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tiaan van Vuuren (Flexbrand Knights), and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).
FIXTURES
Four-Day Series
22 - 25 May at 11:00 (12:00 SAST)
England Lions v South Africa A - Arundel Castle Cricket Club Ground, Arundel
29 May - 01 June at 11:00 (12:00 SAST)
England Lions v South Africa A - The Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham