Wiaan Mulder released the pressure on South Africa A by scoring an unbeaten 131 on day three in their first innings of the 2nd unofficial Test against India A.
After the India A set a mammoth total in their first innings, it seemed as though SA A were down and out after ending day two on 159/5.
Aiden Markram was on 83 and Mulder on 9 at the close of play, with the rest of SA A’s top order back in the pavilion.
Day three, however, saw a spectacular batting performance from Markram (161) and 21-year-old all-rounder Mulder.
They first strung together a 155-run partnership, but Markram’s wicket saw the victors lose their sixth man just three runs shy of the 300-run mark.
READ: AIDEN MARKRAM SCORES BIG TO REVIVE SA A’S INNINGS
Mulder was on 69 when he lost partner, but wasn’t phased by the fall of the wicket.
He now built a partnership with Vernon Philander, as the pair took SA A to 348/6 by tea – Mulder two runs shy of his 100 and Philander on 21.
After tea, Mulder brought up his century in 193 balls and with that took SA A to 350/6.
This came after he took 3/47 after 22 overs at an economy rate of 2.13 which was pivotal in bowling out India on day two.
He continued to add to his score despite losing partners around him – Philander out for 21, Dane Piedt out for 11, Lutho Sipamla out for a duck and Lungi Ngidi our for 0. This took SA A to 400.
Mulder finished on an unbeaten 131 off 230 balls (17 fours and one six)
READ: AIDEN MARKRAM ANCHORS SA A’S INNINGS
His batting performance, however, will do the world of good to his goal of being recognised as a true all-rounder.
Photo: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix
