Shivam Dube strode up to the wicket and struck two consecutive sixes off Dane Piedt to finish the contest between India ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’ in style. It was a comprehensive win; the visitors were defeated by seven wickets in the first unofficial ‘Test’ at the Sports Hub here on Thursday.
Needing 48 runs to go ahead in the two ‘Test’ series, India ‘A’ achieved the target in 9.5 overs for the loss of three wickets.
Before Shivam’s big hits, however, the South Africans had made the hosts earn their runs with difficulty. Captain Shubman Gill (10) began with a elegant cover drive but it was his misfortune that the rival bowlers reserved their best deliveries for him. Gill had his stumps disarrayed to a peach of a delivery from Lungi Ngidi. The ball swung in late and eluded the defensive blade to disturb the timber. Ngidi bowled an impressive spell and had Ankeet Bawane (6) edging a catch to Muthuswamy at third slip.
Ricky Bhui, who was promoted as opener for Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was ill, was defiant at the other end. K. S. Bharat (5) top-edged a sweep off Piedt and was caught by Mulder running backwards at short fine-leg.
But Shivam walked in and ended the struggles.
Earlier, the South African innings resumed after the overnight break for just 3.5 overs. Shardul cleaned up Sipamla for eight as the visitors were dismissed for 186.
Starting on a winning note
Gill gave credit to his bowlers for the win and added that the 100-run partnership between Jalaj Saxena and Shardul Thakur was a game-changer. “It was a good toss to win and the bowlers stuck to their task. We were able to get the South African top order cheaply in both innings which was crucial. Jalaj and Shardul’s partnership gave us a good lead. For me personally, it is good to start your captaincy stint on a winning note. But I am disappointed that I missed out on a century,” he said.
Gill’s counterpart Aiden Markram chose to take the positives from the defeat and was happy with the way his team improved and fought hard to make it difficult for the Indian side. “To be honest, we were a bit rusty. We haven’t played a game for a long time. Losing the toss was difficult and if you lose five wickets early it is hard to make a comeback into the match. Credit to India ‘A’ players; they were better than us. But we improved as the game progressed. There were a lot of positives for us from this game. We will have a few more net sessions and will be better prepared for the next Test,” he said.
- South Africa-A Ist innings: 164
- India-A Ist innings: 303
- South Africa-A 2nd innings: Pieter Malan b Siraj 4, Aiden Markram c Bharat b Shardul 4, Zubayr Hamza c Bhui b Gowtham 44, Khayelihle Zondo c Bharat b Nadeem 10, Senuran Muthuswamy lbw b Nadeem 4, Heinrich Klaasen c Shardul b Jalaj 48, Wiaan Mulder run out 46, Dane Piedt c Bharat b Jalaj 1, Marco Jansen c Gaikwad b Nadeem 0, Lutho Sipamla b Shardul 8, Lungi Ngidi not out 4.
- Extras (nb-2, w-1, b-8, lb-2): 13; Total (in 58.5 overs): 186.
- Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-14, 3-38, 4-52, 5-94, 6-168, 7-169, 8-170, 9-178.
- India-A bowling: Siraj 11-1-36-1, Shardul 8.5-2-32-2, Nadeem 16-4-21-3, Dube 4-0-14-0, Gowtham 11-1-52-1, Jalaj 8-2-22-2.
- India-A 2nd innings: Shubman Gill b Ngidi 5, Ricky Bhui not out 30, Ankeet Bawane c Muthuswamy b Ngidi 6, K.S.Bharat c Mulder b Piedt 5, Shivam Dube not out 12
- Extras (b-1): 2; Total (for three wickets in 9.4 overs): 49.
- Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-24, 3-37.
- South Africa-A bowling
- Ngidi 5-1-22-2, Piedt 4.4-0-26-1.
- Man of the Match: Jalaj Saxena
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