Bengaluru: South Africa A maintained their strong position against India A on Day 3 of the ongoing first unofficial Test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, as their top-order batters continued to extend the team’s first-innings lead.
Resuming play in the morning, India A struck early when Gurnoor Brar removed Jordan Hermann in just the second over of the day. While Lesego Senokwane and Zubayr Hamza attempted to steady the innings, left-arm spinner Manav Suthar continued his impressive run and dismissed Hamza to put the visitors under pressure.
Tanush Kotian then turned the tide further in India’s favour, grabbing two wickets in the 28th over — first sending back Marques Ackerman and then Senokwane off the final delivery. Anshul Kamboj soon joined the party, dismissing Rubin Hermann for a brisk 15 off 18 balls as South Africa A began to falter.
Kamboj struck again to remove Tiaan van Vuuren, thanks to a sharp catch from wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.
At lunch, South Africa A reached 128/6 in 34.5 overs, leading India A by 203 runs.
Earlier on Day 2, the visitors had bowled out India A for 234 in 58 overs, earning a 75-run lead after posting 309 in their first innings. Openers Jordan Hermann and Senokwane then guided South Africa safely to stumps at 30/0, extending their lead to 105 runs.
Brief Scores:
South Africa A: 128/6 (Lesego Senokwane 37, Zubayr Hamza 37; Tanush Kotian 2/13, Anshul Kamboj 2/17)
India A: 234 (Ayush Mhatre 65, Ayush Badoni 38; Prenelan Subrayen 5/61, Lutho Sipamla 2/35)
South Africa A lead by 203 runs.
