The series is crucial in helping our players adapt to Indian conditions. Historically, most South African batters have struggled to play spin in the subcontinent. The overarching aim of the series is to prepare our players for the upcoming tour of India in November.
India had selected experienced international players in their line-up such as Rishabh Pant (as their captain and wicketkeeper), Devdutt Padikkal and Khaleel Ahmed.
The following players were named in the starting line-up for South Africa A: Jordan Hermann, Lesego Senokwane, Zubayr Hamza, Marcques Ackerman (captain), Rubin Herman, Rivaldo Moonsamy (WK), Tiian Van Van Vanan Vururen, Prenelan Subrayen, tshepoki, lutho Simpamla and Okhule Cele.
Summary of Day 1:
The first four-day match started with India winning the toss and choosing to bowl first in the first match held at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. South Africa ended the day by scoring 299 runs for the loss of 9 wickets, with Cele the only remaining player still batting.
The ball swung from the start of the innings. Jordan Hermann and Lesego Senokwane opened the batting for South Africa. Senokwane was the first wicket to fall after he was caught driving a wide outswinger from Kambooj and was caught at first slip.
Zubayr Hamza came in at 3. The pair put on a partnership of 130 runs off 197 balls to restore the innings, with Hamza scoring 66 runs off 109 balls before being dismissed at the end of the 34th over. Hamza started well by covering the fast bowlers and cutting the spinners for four when they fell slightly short. He used his feet very well when he went through the wicket to the spinners. Hamza hit nine fours and one six before he was finally caught by Pant off Gurnoor’s bowling. Unfortunately, he mistimed a shot on a short ball and a thin outside edge led to it being caught by Pant. At the time of his dismissal, South Africa were 136/2 at the start of the 35th over.
Jordan Hermann eventually scored 71 runs off 140 balls, hitting 8 fours before being dismissed by Koitan at the start of the 49th over. It was clear that Jordan felt the ball hit his bat before it was given out. After Jordan Hermann was dismissed, South Africa were on 187 runs for 4 wickets after 49.1 overs. A key feature of his innings was how he drove the fast bowlers through point and hit them through mid-wicket. He also used the reverse and padel sweeps well to counter spin.
Rubin Hermann came in at 5 and scored 54 off 87 balls hitting 6 fours before being bowled by Koitan. Tiaan van Vuuren also contributed well, coming in at 7 and hitting 46 runs off 75 balls, of which 5 were fours and one six was hit. The pair put on a 72-run partnership with Van Vuuren scoring 29 runs off 59 and Rubin Hermann scoring 40 runs off 55 balls until Hermann was dismissed, leaving South Africa on 269 runs for the loss of 6 wickets.
Rubin Hermann got off the track by cutting their finger spinner four times. Hermann played the spinners very late before deciding which shot to play. Rubin played too good shots against Khaleel Ahmed by pulling him for four and also giving a nice look for four. Unfortunately, Koitan (their right-arm off-spinner bowled a faster and shorter pitch) and Rubin mistimed a pull shot, causing him to be bowled.
Tiaan Van Vuuren hit a ball over the slips for four before finally sweeping one of the spinners for four. Van Vuuren regularly played good sweep shots against Suthar before eventually overshooting a delivery and being caught at first slip.
The last wicket to fall was Lutho Sipamla who was bowled LBW by Khaleel Ahmed.
Written by: Stuart Judge
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