DAY 1: SA ‘A’ Wins With Brand Brilliance. South Africa A (SA ‘A’) made a powerful start to their second unofficial test against Sri Lanka A (SL ‘A’), thanks to a stellar performance by captain Neil Brand. The left-handed batsman showcased his batting prowess with an unbeaten century, helping the home side finish the day in a solid position at 316/7 at Willowmoore Park, Benoni. This match is crucial for the Proteas after their defeat in the first test, and Brand’s century has given them the edge in this must-win encounter.
Brand’s Unbeaten Century
The highlight of Day 1 was undoubtedly Neil Brand’s masterclass with the bat. The captain led by example, carrying his bat through the innings and scoring a resilient 122* off 243 deliveries. His innings included 11 boundaries and a towering six, which helped South Africa A post a respectable total on the scoreboard. Brand’s unbeaten century, a testimony to his grit and determination, has provided the hosts with a slight upper hand after a day of mixed fortunes.
Brand came to the crease early, after opener Tshepang Dithole’s dismissal, and held the innings together with crucial partnerships along the way. His composure and ability to withstand pressure allowed SA A to recover from an unstable start. Brand’s innings was pivotal as it anchored the team’s performance, and his leadership on the field reflected his maturity as a cricketer.
A Must-Win Scenario for South Africa A
Having lost the first match in Kimberley by six wickets, the hosts are under pressure to bounce back and level the series. The second unofficial test at Willowmoore Park has been billed as a do-or-die situation for SA A, and the team’s performance on the first day has set the tone for what promises to be an enthralling contest. Brand’s brilliance with the bat has given South Africa A the edge, but the battle is far from over as they look to capitalize on their strong start.
Early Wobbles for SA A
South Africa A’s innings began on shaky ground after they were asked to bat first by Sri Lanka A, who won the toss. Opening batsman Tshepang Dithole (27) started well but couldn’t convert his promising start into a big score. His partnership of 41 with Brand for the first wicket seemed to provide a stable foundation, but Dithole’s dismissal triggered a mini-collapse.
Jean du Plessis (0) was dismissed shortly after, and suddenly SA A found themselves in a precarious position at 42/2. The responsibility then fell on the shoulders of Brand and Marques Ackerman (37) to rebuild the innings. The pair stitched together a valuable third-wicket partnership of 62 runs, which helped steady the ship.
Dewald Brevis and Brand’s Key Partnership
One of the most crucial phases of the match came during the partnership between Brand and Dewald Brevis. Brevis, a rising star in South African cricket, provided solid support to his captain with a well-compiled 49 off 75 balls. His aggressive intent, combined with Brand’s steadiness, formed the backbone of SA A’s innings. Together, they added 98 runs for the fourth wicket, taking the team from a dangerous position to a more commanding one.
Brevis, known for his power-hitting and flair, played some elegant strokes but fell just one run short of his half-century. His partnership with Brand was a pivotal moment in the innings, allowing South Africa A to regain control after early setbacks.
Middle-Order Contributions
Beyond the Brevis-Brand partnership, other middle-order batsmen chipped in with valuable contributions. Beyers Swanepoel (34) and Marques Ackerman (37) added crucial runs to the team’s total. Although their contributions were cut short, they ensured that SA A kept the scoreboard ticking. However, the middle-order failed to fully capitalize on the platform laid by Brand, with wickets falling at regular intervals.
After reaching a solid 202/3, South Africa A experienced another collapse, losing wickets in clusters. They slipped to 316/7 by the end of the day, handing some momentum back to Sri Lanka A. The visitors’ bowlers, particularly slow left-armer Sonal Dinusha, made regular breakthroughs to keep their side in the game.
Sri Lanka A’ Bowling Performance
Sri Lanka A’s bowlers had a mixed day in the field. While they couldn’t dislodge the resilient Neil Brand, they managed to pick up crucial wickets throughout the day. Slow left-arm bowler Sonal Dinusha was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, claiming 3/48. His disciplined bowling, combined with subtle variations, troubled the SA A batsmen, particularly during the middle stages of the innings.
The Sri Lankan bowlers will be aiming to wrap up the South African innings quickly on Day 2, as they seek to prevent the hosts from building on their already respectable total. With only three wickets remaining, Dinusha and his fellow bowlers will be looking to restrict SA A to under 350, giving their batsmen a fighting chance to respond.
South Africa A’ Four-Day Squad
The South Africa A squad for this series has been a mix of experienced campaigners and young talents. Players like Neil Brand, Dewald Brevis, and Migael Pretorius have been pivotal in both the domestic circuit and at the international A-team level. The squad also includes promising talents like Tshepang Dithole, Beyers Swanepoel, and Jean du Plessis, all of whom have showcased potential in the longer format of the game.
Here’s a look at the South Africa A squad for this four-day series:
- 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)
- Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions)
This squad brings a balance of youth and experience, with several players making a mark in South African domestic cricket. The presence of young talents like Dewald Brevis, who is known for his exploits in limited-overs cricket, adds excitement to the team, while seasoned players like Neil Brand provide stability in the longer format.
The Road Ahead: Day 2 Expectations
As the match progresses, South Africa A will be looking to extend their innings beyond 350 runs, with Migael Pretorius and Neil Brand continuing their partnership. Pretorius, known for his all-round abilities, will be expected to support his captain and possibly accelerate the scoring rate.
For Sri Lanka A, early wickets will be crucial on Day 2. Their bowlers will need to break the Brand-Pretorius partnership quickly and prevent any further damage. With conditions likely to assist the bowlers early on, the visitors will be aiming to restrict South Africa A to a manageable total before getting a crack at the home team’s bowlers.
Key Players to Watch
- Neil Brand: The skipper’s unbeaten century on Day 1 has been the highlight so far. His role on Day 2 will be vital in extending South Africa A’s innings and guiding his team toward a strong first-innings total.
- Dewald Brevis: Although Brevis fell short of his half-century, his ability to counterattack and form crucial partnerships makes him a key player for the rest of the match. His bowling could also play a part in the upcoming days.
- Sonal Dinusha: Sri Lanka A’s left-arm spinner was the standout performer on Day 1. He will play a pivotal role in restricting South Africa A and could prove to be a handful on a pitch offering assistance to spinners.
Conclusion
South Africa A have put themselves in a strong position after Day 1, thanks largely to Neil Brand’s magnificent unbeaten century. However, with wickets tumbling towards the end of the day, the match remains delicately poised. Both teams will have everything to play for on Day 2 as they battle it out in this crucial test match at Willowmoore Park, Benoni.
