India A inch closer to win

Thiruvananthapuram, September 11

India A edged closer to a resounding victory over South Africa A in the first unofficial Test despite a rain-hit Day 3 in which only 20 overs could be bowled. India captured four wickets to reduce South Africa A to 179/9 as the visitors go into Day 4 with a paltry lead of 40 runs in the second innings.

The match started late due to a wet outfield from overnight rain. India A had made 303 in reply to the visitors’ first innings score of 164. Overnight batsmen Heinrich Klaasen and Wiaan Mulder went on the attack as South Africa A managed to overturn the deficit. 

The two added 74 runs in 18 overs with Mulder hitting four boundaries and a six. Klaasen (48) kept the team’s hopes afloat by curbing his attacking instincts and accumulating runs.

However, the run out of Mulder (46) by Ricky Bhui saw the Indian team gain the upper hand again. Dane Piedt (1) and Marco Jansen (0) fell in quick succession to Jalaj Saxena and Shahbaz Nadeem, respectively.

Klaasen’s patience ran out and he was caught by Shardul Thakur off Saxena.

Lutho Sipamla and Lungi Ngidi were battling it out before bad light ended play, pushing the game to the final day. — PTI

Brief scores: South Africa A: 164 all out & 179/9 in 55 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 48, Wiaan Mulder 46, Zubayr Hamza 44; S Nadeem 3/17, Jalaj Saxena 2/22, K Gowtham 1/52); India A: 303 all out (Shubman Gill 90, Jalaj Saxena 61*; Lungi Ngidi 3/50, Dane Piedt 3/84)