Qeshile strikes century but rain denies SA A

Sinethemba Qeshile struck a supreme century before rain arrived to prevent South Africa A (SA ‘A’) from winning their one-day series against West Indies A at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia on Saturday.

The right-hander plundered 18 fours and a six in a fine innings of 126 (106 balls) that propelled the visitors to a strong 365 for seven in the second match of the three-game contest.

However, rain arrived to prematurely end the contest 13.1 overs into the reply when the hosts had reached 87 for three chasing a revised target of 222 in 20 overs.

The no result means the series will only be decided when the sides meet again at the same venue on Tuesday.

The tourists will no doubt be more disappointed after an impressive all-round showing in which there were also runs again for Jason Smith, who hit a half-century in game one and repeated the feat for a second game running, as well as an unbeaten 56 from Mihlali Mpongwana.

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the home side were celebrating early on thanks to a double strike by Jediah Blades (3-61) that reduced the tourists to 12 for two - Jordan Hermann (0) and Rivaldo Moonsamy (4) the men to depart.

That brought Qeshile to the scene early, and after putting together 56 with captain Marques Ackerman (30), he added an excellent 149 for the third wicket alongside Smith (63 off 76 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) with the visitors 217 for three in the 33rd over.

Though both fell not long after, Mpongwana thrashed an unbeaten half-century off 36 balls (9 fours, 1 six), and with support from Ruan de Swardt (30) and Bjorn Fortuin (21), carried the South Africans to an imposing 366 target.

After the rain, the target was revised, but the home side were never in the game. Tshepo Moreki’s (2-29) double strike - he removed Kadeem Alleyne (14) and captain Alick Athanaze (8) - set them back at the start of their reply when they fell to 26 for two.

A stand of 48 between Kevlon Anderson (28*) and Kevin Wickham (29) ensued, before it was broken when the latter was caught behind by Qeshile off Mpongwana (1-20).

However, the weather again intervened to end proceedings early and keep the series alive for another few days.

South Africa A Squad against West Indies A

Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ruan de Swardt (Renault North West Dragons), Schalk Engelbrecht (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lesego Senokwane (Knights), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).

Fixtures (all times local)

One-Day Matches

Wednesday, 21 May at 09:30

West Indies A lost to South Africa A by 42 runs – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia

Saturday, 24 May at 09:30

West Indies A and South Africa A ended as no result – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia

Tuesday, 27 May at 09:30

West Indies A v South Africa A – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia

Four-Day Matches

Sunday, 01 – Wednesday, 04 June at 10:00

West Indies A v South Africa A – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia

Sunday, 08 – Wednesday, 11 June at 10:00

West Indies A v South Africa A – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia