MATCH REPORT
Follow UsSouth Africa A managed to score 249 runs for the loss of seven wickets on the opening day of the third unofficial Test on Monday, December 6 at Bloemfontein.
After electing to bat first, the home team managed to inch closer to the 250-run mark courtesy of half-centuries from opener Sarel Erwee (75) and middle-order duo of Tony de Zorki (58) and Khaya Zondo (56).
For the Indian side, Navdeep Saini impressed with the ball and scalped three wickets for 42 runs. The right-arm pacer was well supported by Deepak Chahar, who picked a solitary wicket along with couple of wickets from left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar.
Saini, who has been impressive in the series with seven wickets so far, gave India A an early breakthrough, dismissing rival skipper Malan (0) in the sixth over, while Saurabh sent back Zubayr Hamza (16) cheaply to reduce the home side to 44 for 2.
However, Erwee and Tony took South Africa A past the 150-mark before the latter was run out by substitute Upendra Yadav.
Saini then picked up two quick wickets, getting rid of Erwee and Senuram Muthusamy (0) to leave the hosts at 187 for 5 in 65.2 overs.
Khaya Zondo then took the onus and shared a fruitful partnership with Sinethamba Qeshile (22).
Brief Scores:
South Africa A 1st innings: 249 for 7 in 89 overs (S Erwee 75; Navdeep Saini 3/42).
(With inputs from PTI)
