South Africa ‘A’ pile up 339/5

SM Jiffrey ABDEEN-Kandy Sports Corr

South Africa ‘A’ has scored 339 for 5 wickets at the end of the first day’s play in their four-day unofficial cricket Test against Sri Lanka ‘A’ which began at the Pallekelle Cricket Stadium in Pallekelle yesterday. The match will be continued today at 9.45am.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ won the toss and decided to field first - a decision which did yield the expected dividends.

The wicket was of little help to the bowlers and the batsmen made merry.

South Africa A’s batting was proposed by a brilliant knock of 130 by Rilee Rossouw who hit 13 well timed fours and three sixes facing 154 balls. He reached his century in 108 balls.

He was out stumped by Kaushal Silva in trying to go for a big hit.

Rilee Rossouw was involved in two productive century stands which boosted the South Africa A’s total.

First he put on 116 for the second wicket with Dean Elgar who made 74 with 10 fours and one six facing 135 balls.

Rilee Rossouw was also involved in a fourth wicket stand of 120 with Jonathan Vandier who scored 69 with the aid of eight fours and two sixes facing 144 deliveries.

At close Heino Kuhn is unbeaten on 33 and looks get for a big score unless the Sri Lankans get him out early.

South Africa ‘A’ 339 for 5 wickets in 90 overs in 362 minutes (Stephen Cook 12, Dean Elgar 74, Rilee Rossouw 130, Jonathan Vandier 69, Heino Kuhn 33 n.o, Janaka Gunaratne 2 for 53, Suranga Lakmal 1 for 49, Seethuge Prasanna 1 for 69, Sachithra Senanayake 1 for 72) vs Sri Lanka ‘A’.