Half-centuries by Lesego Senokwane, Jean du Plessis and Sinethemba Qeshile helped SA Invitational XI enjoy a productive opening day in their four-day match against England Lions in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The hosts reached stumps on 285-8 after winning the toss and batting first at the Western Province Cricket Club.
Opener Senokwane led the way by top-scoring with 80 off 144 balls (11 fours).
The country’s leading domestic run scorer, who has scored 553 runs in eight innings so far for the Knights, was supported well by Dafabet Warriors pair Du Plessis (50 off 91 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) and wicketkeeper Qeshile (73 off 131 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes).
This allowed the home side to enjoy a relatively solid day all round.
However, they began on the back foot by losing Jordan Hermann with the first ball of the match for a golden duck to Tom Lawes (2-38), with Tshepang Dithole (16) departing not long after.
Senokwane and Du Plessis then rebuilt with a 120-run third-wicket stand, before both then fell together with Andile Mogakane (22) and Ruan De Swardt (2) before the 200 was raised.
However, Qeshile recorded a pivotal half-century, and together with Richard Seletswane (30*), ensured the home side ended the day in a satisfactory position.
Zaman Akhter was England's best bowler with3-51.
SA INVITATIONAL XI SQUAD AGAINST ENGLAND LIONS
Matthew Boast (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepang Dithole (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ruan De Swardt (Renault North West Dragons), Jean Du Plessis (Dafabet Warriors), Schalk Engelbrecht (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Thobile Hlatuka (Eastern Cape Iinyathi), Andile Mogakane (Dafabet Warriors), Tsepo Ndwandwa (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Richard Seletswane (DP World Lions), Lesego Senokwane (Knights) and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).