Ndwandwa takes seven as SA 'A' fight back against New Zealand 'A'

Tsepo Ndwandwa claimed all seven wickets to fall as South Africa 'A' fought back on the second day of the first four-day match against New Zealand 'A' at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Monday.

The slow left-armer claimed 7/206 in a marathon 44.5 overs, with the tourists declaring on 607/7, before the hosts replied with 137/3 in their second innings.

Captain Marques Ackerman led from the front with an attacking half-century – the skipper made 69 off 52 balls (12x4) – with Jordan Hermann unbeaten on 45.

Earlier, Rhys Mariu recorded a career-best 249 (258 balls, 35x4, 2x6) that helped his side record a huge first innings total.

The tourists had started the day in a dominant position on 357/1 but lost Joe Carter not too far into proceedings when he struck Ndwandwa to Sinethemba Qeshile for 57 off 110 balls (6x4, 1x6).

Mariu past his previous best career score of 240, before he too succumbed to the spinner, this time caught by Tristan Luus, with the score at 428.

Ndwandwa continued to chip away, but the South Africans were thwarted by Mitchell Hay’s unbeaten 71 (115 balls, 6x4, 2x 6) that carried the Kiwis beyond the 600-mark after which they declared.

The South Africans suffered a double blow as early as the fourth over when they lost opener Lesego Senokwane (3) and Zubayr Hamza (0) from successive deliveries to Matthew Fisher (2/32).

But Hermann and Ackerman knuckled down and put on 110 for the third wicket to steady the ship.

The latter was eventually removed but the former remained firm, and alongside Jason Smith (15*), took their side to the close still 470 runs in arrears.

South Africa A Four-Day Squad against New Zealand A

Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Schalk Engelbrecht (Momentum Multiply Titans), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tsepo Ndwandwa (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lesego Senokwane (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).

Management

Wandile Gwavu (Head Coach), Riaan Osman (Manager), Justin Ontong (Batting Coach), Quinton Friend (Bowling Coach), Mangi Mosehle (Fielding Coach), Laden Gamiet (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Brent Martin (Physiotherapist) and Abram Ndhlovu (Team Analyst).

Fixtures

One-Day Matches

Saturday, 30 August @ 10am - Willowmoore Park, Benoni (SA won by three wickets)

Monday, 1 September @ 10am - Willowmoore Park, Benoni (SA won by seven wickets)

Wednesday, 3 September @ 10am - Willowmoore Park, Benoni (NZ won by 18 runs)

Four-Day Matches

7-10 September @ 10am - JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

14-17 September @ 10am - Willowmoore Park, Benoni