Jordan Hermann, Sinethemba Qeshile, Jason Smith and Mihlali Mpongwana all starred to help South Africa A (SA ‘A’) cruise to a 42-run one-day victory over West Indies A in their tour-opener at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia on Wednesday.
There were impressive performances elsewhere too for the visitors, who posted 283 all out after being put in to bat, before they restricted the hosts to 241 in reply.
Hermann (53 off 47 balls, 8 fours, 1 six), Qeshile (55 off 55 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) and Smith (55 off 44 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes), together with Rivaldo Moonsamy (49) were central to the away side setting a strong total, with Mpongwana (3-37) leading an excellent display in the field.
It gave Wandile Gwavu’s side a positive start to the three-match series, with game two scheduled for Saturday.
The South Africans did suffer an early blow when Lesego Senokwane (4) fell in the second over to pick-of-the-bowlers Jediah Blades (3-39), but Moonsamy and Hermann added 93 for the second wicket to steady the ship.
Both then fell in quick succession, along with the wicket of captain Marques Ackermann (4), leaving the tourists in a spot of trouble on 125 for four.
But Qeshile and Smith then combined for an 85-run fifth-wicket partnership to lift their side once more.
They got to 210 for four at one stage, but things unravelled from the 34th over. Wickets fell regularly and the South Africans were dismissed with 22 balls remaining.
Okuhle Cele (1-68) claimed the early wicket of Kadeem Alleyne for 17, before a strong passage of play for the home side when Kevlon Anderson (45) and captain Alick Athanaze (33) strung together a stand of 61 for the second wicket.
Once Mpongwana made the breakthrough, though, the West Indies lost their momentum.
They then lost wickets regularly as Tshepo Moreki (2-20), Bjorn Fortuin (2-45) and Tristan Luus (1-66) all chipped in to leave the home side all out in 44.1 overs.
South Africa A Squad against West Indies A
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ruan de Swardt (Renault North West Dragons), Schalk Engelbrecht (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lesego Senokwane (Knights), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
Fixtures (all times local)
One-Day Matches
Wednesday, 21 May at 09:30
West Indies A lost to South Africa A by 42 runs – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Saturday, 24 May at 09:30
West Indies A v South Africa A – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Tuesday, 27 May at 09:30
West Indies A v South Africa A – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Four-Day Matches
Sunday, 01 – Wednesday, 04 June at 10:00
West Indies A v South Africa A – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Sunday, 08 – Wednesday, 11 June at 10:00
West Indies A v South Africa A – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia