RAJKOT: A dazzling century by Lhuan-dré Pretorius and a Rivaldo Moonsamy ton ensured South Africa A ended their tour of India with a comfortable 73-run win over their international counterparts in the final One-Day match at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday.
Rising teenage Proteas star plundered six sixes and nine fours in a dashing 98-ball 123, putting on an opening partnership of 241 with Moonsamy, who made 107 off 130 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes).
The pair proved key for the tourists after they lost the toss and were put in to bat first, helping their side post an imposing 325 for six.
In reply, Nqaba Peter picked up four for 48 in 10 overs, and with support from Tshepo Moreki (3/58), ensured the hosts were bundled out for 252 in the final over of the chase.
The result handed the South Africans a consolation win after they had lost the first two matches – the first narrowly by four wickets and the second by a more substantial nine wickets.
But they were hugely impressive in their latest outing, the second win of the tour after they had won the second four-day match in outstanding fashion chasing down over 400 last week to earn a share of that series.
And Pretorius and Moonsamy were at the heart of victory after their marathon double century stand from only 37.1 overs that set the innings into full motion.
Both fell to India seamer Prasidh Krishna (2/52) in quick succession, prompting a low-key end to the innings. Sinethemba Qeshile (1) followed them shortly after as the score changed from 241 for none to 248 for three.
Rubin Hermann managed 11, Marques Ackerman hit 16 and Dian Forrester got to 20, before Delano Potgieter slammed a quick-fire 30* to at least help end the first half of the day well.
The home side made a quick start themselves thanks to their own superstar Abhishek Sharma (11) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (25), a player that recorded tons in each of the first two games.
They got to 31 for none in 3.4 overs, before falling and witnessing the chase falter.
Sharma was dismissed by Moreki and Gaikwad was cleaned up by Bjorn Fortuin (2/48) after the captain Tilak Varma (11) also fell victim to the former.
India suddenly found themselves on 57 for three. After Riyan Parag (17) was caught by Ackerman off Potgieter, there was a strong fightback from Ishan Kishan (53 off 67 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) and Ayush Badoni (66 off 66 balls, 8 fours), the pair adding 88 for the fifth wicket.
But Peter then changed the game. He wove his magic by taking out both set men meaning the hosts fell from 170 for four to 201 for six.
Moreki and Fortuin continued to offer late support to Peter with more wickets, ensuring the home side were comfortably beaten by the end.
South Africa A One-Day squad against India A
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dian Forrester (North West Dragons), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Rubin Hermann (North West Dragons), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (Worlds Sports Betting Western Province), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Delano Potgieter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) and Tiaan van Vuuren (Knights).
Fixtures
One-Day Series
Thursday, 13 November
India A beat South Africa A by 4 wickets – Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
Sunday, 16 November
India A beat South Africa A by 9 wickets – Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
Wednesday, 19 November
India A lost to South Africa A by 73 runs – Niranjan Shah Stadium Rajkot
Source: cricket.co.za
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