Seamers, Ackerman give SA 'A' the upper hand against England Lions

A four-wicket haul from Jason Smith and an unbeaten half-century from Marques Ackerman gave South Africa ‘A’ (SA ‘A’) the edge on a bowler-dominated opening day of the first four-day match against England Lions in Arundel on Friday.

Smith returned impressive figures of 4/15, while Nqobani Mokoena picked up three wickets for 50 on debut to dismiss the hosts for 157 inside 45 overs at Arundel Castle Cricket Club Ground.

In reply, SA ‘A’ captain Ackerman led from the front with a masterful 79 (61 balls, 13x4, 1x6) - the top individual score of the day - to steer the visitors to 184/7 and a lead of 27.

SA ‘A’ bowling coach Rory Kleinveldt reflected on the day’s play: “There was a bit of grass cover and some rain leading into the game, so there was quite a bit of moisture in the air this morning, which our bowlers managed to exploit nicely.

“Seventeen wickets falling on day one was a bit of a surprise but, in saying that, we bowled really well in partnerships. We were relentless in our areas, controlled the rate and didn’t allow them to get away from us. So all in all a good day for us with the ball.

“I always believed Jason was going to be dangerous with the ball in these kinds of conditions, so it was really pleasing to see him contribute.

“Marques put his hand up and put us ahead of the game and, hopefully, tomorrow he can build on that. It’ll be great to see him get to three figures. He deserves it with the way he played today, and more importantly, hopefully he can get us a solid lead and then put them under pressure in the third innings.”

The day started with fast bowlers Ottneil Baartman and Mokoena being presented with their SA ‘A’ caps by Ackerman and Prenelan Subrayen respectively.

The visitors were put in to bowl first and Proteas Test seamer Dane Paterson (2/35) made an early breakthrough striking in just the third over of the day. Lions opener Ben McKinney (4) edged one behind, with Zubayr Hamza taking a one-handed diving catch in the slips.

Paterson struck again in his very next over, removing Dan Mousley (1), who was caught by Subrayen at first slip.

New batter Ben Geddes (6) lasted seven balls before Mokoena claimed his maiden SA ‘A’ wicket, with Subrayen taking his second catch of the innings to leave the hosts on 18/3 after 7.3 overs.

Smith and Baartman (1/42) were then introduced into the attack and that change brought two more wickets in quick succession. The former had opener Asa Tribe caught behind for 19 before the latter pinned Charlie Allison (9) lbw in the very next over as the hosts slipped to 42/5.

Ben Mayes (21) and Ekansh Singh (25) began to rebuild the innings adding 41 runs - the highest partnership of the innings - to guide the score to 83/5 before Mokoena and Smith took control in the afternoon session. The pair claimed two wickets apiece to reduce the Lions to 124/9.

Mitch Stanley (20) and Alfie Ogborne (9*) offered some resistance with a 33-run 10th-wicket partnership before Smith wrapped up the innings as Stanley lofted one to Ackerman at mid-off.

SA ‘A’ openers Lesego Senokwane and Tony de Zorzi made a steady start to reach 20 for no loss, with De Zorzi hitting back-to-back boundaries at the start of the fourth over before Stanley (3/46) ripped through the top order.

The right-arm seamer removed de Zorzi (15), Jordan Hermann (6) and Hamza (2) to leave the visitors on 38/3 after 7.4 overs.

Eddie Jack (3/41) supported Stanley’s efforts at the other end by dismissing Senokwane (15) and Smith (0).

Ackerman and Sinethemba Qeshile then counter-attacked with a 50-run partnership off 45 balls before Qeshile (22) was trapped leg before by Ogborne (1/42).

With the score on 104/6, the setback did little to deter the SA ‘A’ skipper, who struck three consecutive boundaries to bring up his half-century off 47 balls. He and Subrayen (29) combined for an 80-run partnership before Subrayen was caught off Jack in what proved to be the final over of the day.

Mokoena (0*) safely negotiated the three remaining deliveries.

South Africa A Four-Day Squad against England Lions

Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tony de Zorzi (WSB Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Rubin Hermann (North West Dragons), Nqobani Mokoena (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dane Paterson (WSB Western Province), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lesego Senokwane (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tiaan van Vuuren (Flexbrand Knights), and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).

South Africa A One-Day squad against England Lions

Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (WSB Western Province), Connor Esterhuizen (DP World Lions), Dian Forrester (North West Dragons), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Rubin Hermann (North West Dragons), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Nqobani Mokoena (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Warriors), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) and Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).

Management

Wandile Gwavu (Head Coach), Riaan Osman (Manager), Justin Ontong (Batting Coach), Rory Kleinveldt (Bowling Coach), Jimmy Kgamadi (Fielding Coach), Laden Gamiet (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Brent Martin (Physiotherapist) and Kushen Kishun (Team Analyst).

Fixtures

Four-Day Series

22-25 May at 11am (12pm SAST) - Arundel Castle Cricket Club Ground, Arundel

29 May-1 June at 11am (12pm SAST) - The Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham

One-Day Series

Friday, 5 June at 11am (12pm SAST) - Grace Road, Leicester

Sunday, 7 June at 11am (12pm SAST) - New Road, Worcester

Tuesday, 9 June at 11am (12pm SAST) - New Road, Worcester