Follow UsWhile the match will be remembered for Dhruv Jurel’s pyrotechnics (132 and 127), South Africa A will remember it for all the right reasons as they chased down 417 on November 9 (Sunday). It is the perfect preparation for the ‘A’ side ahead of their two-match Test assignment against India, with the spinners getting a reality check.
Despite being set a target of 417, South Africa A never put their head down in the run chase, with openers Jordan Hermann (91) and Lesego Senokwane (77) putting on a show for the opening wicket. While the opening stand lasted 43 overs, the second wicket fell a little quicker than the first, with Senokwane being trapped right in front.
No.3 batter Zubayr Hamza smashed the leather, with the right-hander showing great attacking prowess, with an 88-ball 77, with nine fours and three sixes. However, Prasidh Krishna had the last laugh, dismissing the No.3 batter for 77, with the scorecard reading 304/3.
South African skipper Temba Bavuma fared much better than he did in the first innings, with a well-constructed 59 off 101 deliveries, finding seven boundaries. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper batter, Connor Esterhuizen, landed the telling blow as the batter smashed 52 off 53 deliveries, with eight fours and one six.
The biggest disappointment for India would be Kuldeep Yadav, who was released to prepare for the red-ball series. Kuldeep couldn’t make any impact in the second innings, as the left-arm wrist spinner conceded 81 runs in his 17 overs, at an economy of 4.80. It wasn't like Kuldeep had any impact in the first dig either, as the left-arm wrist spinner conceded 66 runs in 11 overs.