The first unofficial Test between SA A and India A looks to be evenly poised at the close of Day 2.
DAY 1: De Zorzi, Malan score centuries | SA A vs India A | 1st Test | Day 1
India enjoyed the early success when they dismissed Jason Smith and Pieter Malan in successive overs, ending the second century stand of the South African innings.
However, the hosts were back in command, courtesy of a sprightly partnership between the two new batters: Sinethemba Qeshile and George Linde. Qeshile was the aggressor more often, as they both notched up yet another 100-run stand. South Africa would declare after reaching 509/7, a gargantuan first-innings total.
India started off pretty briskly, with Prithvi Shaw once again showcasing his free-wheeling demeanour. Skipper Priyank Panchal was mostly playing second fiddle to the hard-hitting Shaw.
The fun and games came to an end when he nicked off to Qeshile off Lutho Sipamla, and that denied him a well-deserved half-century. Panchal and Abhimanyu Easwaran have calmly batted through to safety to close out the day’s play.
SA A 509/7 (P Malan 163, T de Zorzi 117, S Qeshile 82* – Saini 2/67, Nagwaswalla 2/75)
Ind A 125/1 (P Shaw 48)
Photo: Cricket South Africa
