India A have been all over South Africa A on a pretty eventful beginning to the 2nd unofficial Test.
It’s another day at Bloemfontein, but the wicket was more helpful for the bowlers this time around. Most of this day was characterized by the South Africans having lively starts and then the Indian bowlers striking at regular intervals to keep the progress in check.
Skipper Pieter Malan and Tony de Zorzi, the stars of last game, both were dismissed cheaply today. Six batters crossed 30, with George Linde’s 44 being the top score.
It was a solid team effort from the Indians, with 5 bowlers sharing 7 wickets between them. Just when SA were rebuilding with a 97-run stand between Linde and Marco Jansen, Navdeep Saini created a priceless breakthrough by dismissing Linde.
At the close, India were definitely ahead, thanks to a clinical showing with the ball and on the field. 300 still is reachable for the hosts, provided the tail-enders chip in.
SA 233/7 in 85 overs (Linde 44, Erwee 38 – Porel 2/26, Saini 2/54)
