All-round Swanepoel gives SA ‘A’ fighting chance

Beyers Swanepoel starred with bat and ball but South Africa A (SA ‘A’) still found themselves in a difficult position after the penultimate day of the first unofficial test against Sri Lanka A (SL ‘A’) at the Kimberley Oval on Tuesday.

The seamer claimed four for 52 in 20.5 overs to help the hosts bowl out the visitors for 323 – a lead of 49 – but they themselves then stumbled to 124 all out.

It could have been far worse but for Swanepoel top-scoring with 38 as Ishitha Wijesundara wreaked havoc with fine figures of seven for 34. The South Africans did manage to claim a wicket late in the day when Sri Lanka faced 9.5 overs to reach 34 for one chasing 174 for victory.

But it left the home side with a big task on the final day to turn the tables.

DISASTROUS 2ND INNINGS

At the start of day three, the visitors fell from 232 for four overnight to be bowled out for a further 91.

Swanepoel was excellent with his medium pace, with Prenelan Subrayen bagging two for 63. Sonal Dinusha (36) and Vishad Randika (35) were the key contributors for the away side.

The second innings for the hosts began in the worst possible fashion after captain Neil Brand was out for a third-ball duck. Only Marques Ackerman (27) among the top order managed a meaningful contribution as they still stumbled to 69 for seven.

A 45-run partnership between Swanepoel and Migael Pretorius (7) at least allowed them to cross 100 and bolster the target to a defendable total.

By the close, though, Sri Lanka reduced the target to 140 for the loss of key batter Lahiru Udara for 26 as he fell to Codi Yusuf (1/8) with what proved to be the final ball of the day.

South Africa A Four-Day squad against Sri Lanka A

Neil Brand (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Marques Ackerman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepang Dithole (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jean du Plessis (Dafabet Warriors), Patrick Kruger (Dafabet Warriors), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Migael Pretorius (North West Dragons), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Beyers Swanepoel (Dafabet Warriors) and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).

Four-Day Matches

08 - 11 September at 10:00

South Africa A v Sri Lanka A - Kimberley Oval, Kimberley

15 - 18 September at 10:00

South Africa A v Sri Lanka A - Willowmoore Park, Benoni