A remarkable career-best of 188 by David Bedingham helped South Africa A (SA ‘A’) end their three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka A (SL ‘A’) on a high with a five-wicket win at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
The Proteas batter struck 20 fours and five sixes in a fine 129-ball display that saw him carry his bat as the hosts chased down 309 with more than seven overs to spare.
Though the tourists were already 2-0 up in the series, the result ensured the home side at least won back some pride – and confidence going into the red-ball leg of the tour starting at the weekend.
The home side bowled first for the third consecutive game at the start with the Sri Lankans winning the toss and batting at the toss.
Lahiru Udara (90 off 94 balls, 10 fours, 1 six), Nuwanidu Fernando (52 off 52 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) and Chamindu Wickramasinghe (70* off 54 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) all impressed with half-centuries for their side.
But there were some impressive showings with the ball too for the hosts, led by a four-wicket haul for Dewald Brevis (4/46). Dayyaan Galiem (1/22) and Trista Luus (1/34) also claimed a wicket apiece.
Faced with a mammoth target, Bedingham showed his class by delivering his best performance of the series and one that easily surpassed his previous best score of 152 in List A cricket.
He first put on an opening stand of 104 in just 9.1 overs with Tony de Zorzi (25), before adding 99 with captain Matther Breetzke (36) for the second wicket. Those two partnerships left SA ‘A’ on 203 inside halfway and Meeka-eel Prince (31) offered his hand for the last important stand – 71 for the fourth wicket – to take the hosts home with 43 balls to spare.
South Africa A One-Day squad against Sri Lanka A
Matthew Breetzke (captain, Dafabet Warriors), David Bedingham (World Sports Betting Western Province), Eathan Bosch (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Dayyaan Galiem (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Andile Mogakane (Dafabet Warriors), Senuran Muthusamy (North West Dragons), Andile Phehlukwayo (Momentum Multiply Titans), Meeka-eel Prince (North West), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions) and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).
South Africa A Four-Day squad against Sri Lanka A
Neil Brand (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Marques Ackerman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepang Dithole (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jean du Plessis (Dafabet Warriors), Patrick Kruger (Dafabet Warriors), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Migael Pretorius (North West Dragons), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Beyers Swanepoel (Dafabet Warriors) and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).
South Africa A Tour against Sri Lanka A
One-Day Matches
Saturday, 31 August at 10:00
South Africa A lost to Sri Lanka A by 93 runs – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Monday, 02 September at 10:00
South Africa A lost to Sri Lanka A by 31 runs – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Wednesday, 04 September at 10:00
South Africa A beat Sri Lanka A by 5 wickets – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Four-Day Matches
08 – 11 September at 10:00
South Africa A vs Sri Lanka A – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley
15 – 18 September at 10:00
South Africa A vs Sri Lanka A – Willowmoore Park, Benoni
