ST LUCIA: Okuhle Cele lead an excellent all-round bowling display to set South Africa A (SA ‘A’) on their way to a dominant six-wicket win over West Indies A in the third one-day match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia on Tuesday.
There were also key performances with the bat from Rivaldo Moonsamy, who hit 94 (91 balls, 15 fours, 1 six), and a world-wind 71 off 45 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) from captain Marques Ackerman ensuring the tourists chased down a 254-run target with some ease to clinch the three-game series 2-0.
The away side had won the first game comfortably by 42 runs and were on top when rain forced the second encounter to be abandoned.
This time around they were just as clinical, thanks in the main to the bowlers after they dismissed the hosts for 253.
West Indies had won the toss and opted to bat first at the start, but lost the top three of Kadeem Alleyne (4), Alick Athanaze (0) and Kevlon Anderson (4) all inside the first 5.2 overs.
After Tshepo Moreki (2/41) bowled Alleyne, fellow seamer Cele removed skipper Athanaze for a duck and then accounted for Anderson to leave West Indies on 16 for three.
The trio of Shaqkere Parris (96 off 111 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes), Jyd Goolie (30) and Javelle Glenn (52 off 49 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) then did the bulk of the repair work to haul their side up towards a competitive total. The former pair put on 78 together for the fourth wicket, while Parris and Glen added 101 for the next wicket.
However, more good bowling from the South Africans, including two for 35 by Ruan de Swardt saw the home side dismissed in 47.3 overs.
Then in reply, Jordan Hermann fell early for 10, but Moonsamy and Ackerman were excellent. The pair put on 140 for the second wicket in just 18.1 overs to take the game away from the hosts.
And after the captain fell, Sinethemba Qeshile (16), Jason Smith (35*) and De Swardt (13*) helped complete the job as the away side won with 15.1 overs to spare.
“To see the guys play the way they did and contribute in the three games was quite improbable,” Player of the Series, Qeshile, said. “The team performances, the camaraderie, the way everything has clicked was great to see. We have a really good group of guys here, a good blend of youth and experience and it’s just pleasing to win.”
The wicketkeeper, who contributed 55 and 126 in the first two games, added: “It’s been good to contribute, something that has been long time coming, and let’s hope it’s the start of something great for me and my future.”
The teams now play two four-day matches starting at the same venue in Saint Lucia on Sunday.
South Africa A Squad against West Indies A
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ruan de Swardt (Renault North West Dragons), Schalk Engelbrecht (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lesego Senokwane (Knights), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
Fixtures (all times local)
One-Day Matches
Wednesday, 21 May at 09:30
West Indies A lost to South Africa A by 42 runs – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Saturday, 24 May at 09:30
West Indies A and South Africa A ended as no result – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Tuesday, 27 May at 09:30
West Indies A lost to South Africa A by 6 wickets – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Four-Day Matches
Sunday, 01 – Wednesday, 04 June at 10:00
West Indies A vs South Africa A – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Sunday, 08 – Wednesday, 11 June at 10:00
West Indies A vs South Africa A – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia
Source: cricket.co.za
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