A collective effort from the West Indies A bowling unit on Tuesday did well to stifle South Africa A on day one of their second four-day unofficial Test match; however, the wickets were slow to come as the home team closed the day on 266-6.
Nonetheless, the Guyanese bowling duo of Shamar Joseph and Kevin Sinclair picked up two wickets each, to go down as two of the standouts on the opening day.
The visitors won the toss at Buffalo Park, East London, and opted to bowl first, after which South Africa’s Neil Brand was removed early for four runs by Joseph, who is playing his first match this series. However, the 65-run second-wicket partnership between Tony de Zorzi and Raynard van Tonder persevered under pace until Kevin Sinclair’s spin was introduced.
Sinclair, with his first ball, sent de Zorzi back to the dugout for 44 from 93 deliveries. On the other hand, van Tonder got to 50, off 86 balls inclusive of nine boundaries, before Jair McAllister rained on his parade.
It took another 86 runs before the West Indian side could pick up another wicket; this time it was Joseph, who struck again removing the dangerous Keegan Peterson for 67 off 124 balls, an innings that was highlighted by eight fours.
Khaya Zondo and Clyde Fortuin added 35 off 91 balls and 12 off 19 to the score respectively. Taking on the overnight duties were Ruan de Swardt and Mihlali Mpongwana. De Swardt ended the day on 50 runs and Mpongwana on 12 runs respectively.
Joseph claimed 2-39 from 17 overs while Sinclair had 2-53 from 16 overs. Meanwhile, McAllister picked up the other two wickets for 64 runs from 16 overs.
West Indies A currently lead the three-match series 1-0, after a nail-biting one-run victory on Friday last.
Play resumes today at 04:00h local time.
SCORECARD
South Africa A 266-6
BATTING R B
Neil Brand LHB lbw S Joseph 4 22
Tony de Zorzi LHB c Z McCaskie b K Sinclair 44 93
Raynard van Tonder RHB c J McAllister b J McAllister 50 86
Keegan Petersen RHB c K Sinclair b S Joseph 67 124
Khaya Zondo RHB c None b K Sinclair 35 91
Ruan de Swardt LHB not out 25 50
Clyde Fortuin RHB c K Sinclair b J McAllister 12 19
Mihlali Mpongwana RHB not out 12 29
Yet to bat: Dane Piedt, Dane Paterson, Tshepo Moreki
Extras – 17 b: 0 lb: 11 wd: 2 nb: 4
Total 266/6 (85.0 overs)
BOWLING O M R W
Akeem Jordan PACE 17.0 6 30 0
Shamar Joseph PACE 17.0 6 39 2
Jair McAllister PACE 16.0 3 64 2
Kevin Sinclair SPIN 16.0 3 53 2
Abhijai Mansingh SPIN 10.0 0 41 0
Kavem Hodge SPIN 9.0 0 28 0
