BENONI: Kevin Sinclair held off a valiant all-round effort from the South Africa A (SA ‘A’) bowlers with an unbeaten 80 to encourage West Indies A clinch a narrow one-wicket win on the final day of the first four-day match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday.
The visitors resumed the day requiring 216 runs to win with 10 wickets in hand, but it was paceman Mihlali Mpongwana (3/25), together with double strikes from Hardus Viljoen (2/43) and Dane Piedt (2/58), that set up an exhilarating day of red-ball cricket with either result possible heading into the final hour of play.
Mpongwana struck the first blow two overs into the start of play as he had overnight batter Zachary McCaskie caught behind for 6.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kirk McKenzie then combined to add 66 runs before Piedt removed the latter for 36.
Mpongwana claimed his second of the innings after Chanderpaul (35) was adjudged leg before wicket. Once he departed, the visitors lost their next four wickets for just 22 runs. Kavem Hodge (12) became Mpongwana’s third scalp as he edged one behind before Duanne Olivier (1/36) removed Tevin Imlach (2) one ball later.
Viljoen then bowled Joshua Da Silva (5), while Tshepho Moreki (1/42) had Akeem Jordan (5) caught behind to leave West Indies A reeling at 119-7 with another 105 runs still required for victory.
Sinclair (80* off 150 balls, 8 fours, 3 sixes) led the fightback with Jayden Seales (12) and Jair McAllister (7* off 34 balls, 1 four) in support.
Sinclair and McAllister fended off the SA ‘A’ bowling attack with a nerve-wrecking 53-run last wicket stand to secure a tense win for the tourists.
The result means West Indies A guide the three-match series 1-0. The second match gets underway on Tuesday, 28 November at Buffalo Park in East London.
South Africa A squad against West Indies A
Neil Brand (Momentum Multiply Titans, captain), David Bedingham (Western Province), Ruan de Swardt (North West Dragons), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Clyde Fortuin (Gbets Rocks), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Duanne Olivier (DP World Lions), Dane Patterson (Western Province), Keegan Petersen (Gbets Rocks), Dane Piedt (ITEC Knights), Raynard van Tonder (North West Dragons), Hardus Viljoen (Gbets Rocks) and Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
Tour itinerary
21 – 24 November at 10:00
South Africa A lost to West Indies A by 1 wicket – Willowmoore Park in Benoni
28 November – 01 December at 10:00
South Africa A vs West Indies A – Buffalo Park in East London
05 – 08 December at 10:00
South Africa A vs West Indies A – Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein
Source: cricket.co.za
JP Duminy: JP Duminy is a South African former cricket player who served as the vice-captain of the national Twenty20 team. In 2008, he played a major role in helping his national team win their first Test series in Australia against Australia. After retiring from all formats of the game in 2019, JP Duminy started working as a cricket commentator.
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