West Indies ‘A’ mounted a late resurgence to regain control after South Africa ‘A’ dominated the majority of the opening day of their second four-day “Test,” with Keegan Petersen and Raynard van Tonder scoring half-centuries.
As the hosts cruised at 208 for three during the final session at Buffalo Park on Tuesday, West Indies A’s fast bowlers Shamar Joseph (2-39) and Jair McAllister (2-64), along with off-spinner Kevin Sinclair (2-53), combined their efforts to claim three wickets for just 30 runs, displaying a strong comeback.
At the end of the day, South Africa ‘A’ finished with a total of 266 for six. Ruan de Swardt played a crucial role in the recovery with an unbeaten 25 in an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 28 runs alongside Mihlali Mpongwana (12 not out).
Petersen emerged as the top scorer with 67 runs, while van Tonder contributed exactly 50. Tony de Zorzi added 44 runs, and Khaya Zondo chipped in with 35, although both were unable to convert their starts.
Upper hand during the early exchanges
The aggressive batting display from Petersen and van Tonder ensured that South Africa ‘A’ had the upper hand during the early exchanges, with the team being 118 for two at tea. The opening session was limited to just 44 deliveries due to bad light.
After resuming at 18 without loss following the extended break, Captain Neil Brand was dismissed on the very first delivery, lbw to a yorker from Joseph, after scoring four runs.
Van Tonder partnered with de Zorzi, and together, they stitched a 65-run stand for the second wicket to initiate the rebuilding process for their team. Van Tonder, 25 years old, faced 86 balls in just under 2½ hours, striking nine boundaries. De Zorzi, 26 years old with two Tests under his belt, struck four boundaries off 93 deliveries.
The partnership was broken by Sinclair when the left-hander de Zorzi was brilliantly caught at forward short leg while playing defensively. Van Tonder and Petersen then added a further 39 runs for the third wicket before van Tonder departed after tea, scooping a short delivery back to McAllister.
Late flurry of wickets
With South Africa ‘A’ at 122 for three, another resilient half-century partnership ensued as Petersen and Zondo put on 86 runs for the fourth wicket. Petersen, 30 years old with 11 Tests under his belt, faced 124 balls in just over 2½ hours and hit eight boundaries, while Zondo struck five boundaries and a six in his 91-ball knock.
Both Petersen and Zondo fell in a late flurry of wickets. Petersen was caught at cover point off Joseph, and Zondo was dismissed, caught at short backward square, 19 balls later off Sinclair. Wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin (12) also fell, guiding a short delivery from McAllister to deep point.
West Indies ‘A’ ended the day with momentum, eager to continue their fight-back in the upcoming days of the Test match.
