Solid Senokwane puts SA 'A' in the driver's seat

An unbeaten half-century from Lesego Senokwane steered South Africa 'A' (SA ‘A’) one step closer to victory on the penultimate day of the first four-day match against England Lions in Arundel on Sunday.

The opener struck a composed 51* off 113 balls (7x4) alongside Jordan Hermann (41*) as the visitors reached stumps on 122/1, requiring a further 92 runs to secure a positive result.

Earlier, Asa Tribe and Ben Mayes both recorded centuries to propel England to 387, setting a target of 214.

Seamers Dane Paterson, Nqobani Mokoena and Ottneil Baartman played key roles with the ball, each picking up two wickets.

“It was a lot warmer today and the wicket dried out and flattened out as the game went on, which made conditions much better for batting,” said SA ‘A’ batting coach Justin Ontong.

“That meant we had to work a lot harder for wickets in England’s second innings but it was a great effort by the bowlers to keep applying pressure throughout the day.

“Chasing 214, we knew it was going to be a little tricky with the new ball, so it was important for us to get off to a solid start. Tony (de Zorzi) and Lesego started off positivity but unfortunately we lost Tony early.

“Jordan and Lesego played unbelievably well to put us in a commanding position. We’re in a great position heading into the final day but the first session will be crucial. Hopefully we can show good discipline to go on and pull through for a win.”

At the start of the day, the Lions resumed on 213/4 with a lead of 39, as Tribe and Mayes extended their overnight partnership. Tribe brought up a measured century, while Mayes added valuable runs in a stubborn partnership that frustrated the South African attack.

The breakthrough eventually came after lunch, with the new ball nine overs old, as Paterson trapped Tribe (135) leg before wicket to end the 189-run partnership. The wicket sparked a collapse, with the hosts losing their final six wickets for just 65 runs as they slipped from 322/4 to 387 all out.

Amid the collapse, Mayes (105) brought up his own hundred before the 18-year-old fell to Baartman (2/63).

The visitors were dealt an early blow in the chase when Tony de Zorzi (7) was caught behind off Mitch Stanley (1/18). However, Senokwane and Hermann batted through the remainder of the day without any further damage to leave SA ‘A’ strongly placed heading into the final day.

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