Day 2: India 'A' v Safrica

A solid top order batting effort by South Africa, allowed them to overtake the total India 'A' made earlier on day one. In another eventful and action packed day of cricket, South Africa ensured that this game, is heading for a neutral finish as they piled the pressure on the India 'A' bowling.

Openers Greame Smith and Herschelle Gibbs, started in a most positive fashion, dismissing any delivery which was short and wide to the fence. The India 'A' bowling had a vert little margin of error, as Gibbs and Smith went on the attack.

The two put together a most impressive 150 run opening partnership, with both batsman reaching their respective half centuries. However, things got better for the India 'A' bowlers as explosive dangerman, Herschelle Gibbs was dismissed by young slow left arm spinner Murali Kartik for 79.

Just 14 runs later, Smith (79) got a good delivery from upcoming left arm fast bowler, Irfan Pathan, which caught Smith in front of the stumps. However, things got worse for India 'A', as the solid and ever reliable Gary Kirsten, and young prodigy Jacques Rudolph combined.

Both batsman were relentless on the inexperiened India 'A' bowling. With beautiful, booming drives, to elegant cuts and pulls. The two left handers stepped up their game and combined for a 171 run partnership. Kirsten though on 75 was run out, and with the score on 341, Jacques Rudolph fell for a fantastic and solid innings of 83, when he was caught by Patel off the bowling of Aavishkar Salvi.

The match seems likely to be heading towards a sedate draw, as only one full day's play remains in the match. Be sure to read CricketWeb's Day 3 close of play tomorrow.


Brief Score Summary: Close of Play - Day 2

India 'A' (1st Innings): 310 All Out

South Africa (1st Innings): 342/5 (Rudolph 83, Smith 79, Gibbs 79, Kirsten 75, Salvi 2/55, Pathan 1/55)

Posted by Sangrah