Five-star Van Vuuren leads SA ‘A’ charge in Beckenham

A career-best five-wicket haul from Tiaan van Vuuren spearheaded a strong opening day by South Africa A (SA ‘A’) in the second unofficial test against England Lions at The Kent County Ground in Beckenham on Friday.

The Flexbrand Knights seamer took 5-53 to help restrict the hosts to 193 all out in 55.4 overs. He was well supported by Codi Yusuf (3-51) and Dane Paterson (2-39).

Ekansh Singh top scored for the Lions with 95 - the second highest score of the innings being just 18 - after they chose to bat first.

In reply, Jordan Hermann (19*) and Zubayr Hamza (8*) remained unbeaten as SA ‘A’ closed on 73 for two, trailing by 120 with eight wickets in hand.

“I’m very ecstatic to have reached this milestone," said van Vuuren. "Five-fers don’t come that often, so I’m really pleased to have made the most of the opportunity. After England won the toss and chose to bat first, it was important for us to start well.

"At the start of the day [bowling coach] Justin Ontong spoke about matching the intensity we showed in the first match. Dane and Codi set the tone brilliantly, which made it easier for me to come into the attack after they had laid a good foundation.

“The bowling unit did a great job in restricting them to under 200. With two batters already in, I feel like we’re in a really good position and hopefully we can capitalise on that tomorrow.

“The conditions are very good. There’s something in it for the batters and bowlers, so every ball is an event.”

There were three changes to the side that beat the Lions in the first four-day match, with Bjorn Fortuin, van Vuuren and Yusuf named in the playing XI.

Paterson provided the first breakthrough of the morning, when Ben McKinney (8) edged him to Hermann in the slips. Van Vuuren and Yusuf then sparked a flurry of wickets that saw the Lions collapse from 30 for one to 36 for five in the space of two overs.

Van Vuuren dismissed Dan Mousley (6), Rehan Ahmed (4), Ben Mayes (0), while Yusuf struck in between to trap first-match centurion Asa Tribe (16) leg before wicket.

Paterson claimed his second scalp by removing Ben Geddes (18) as the hosts headed into lunch on 80 for six.

Yusuf picked up the first wicket after the break, cleanly uprooting Liam Patterson-White’s (17) middle stump.

Eddie Jack (11) and Singh offered some resistance with a 52-run eighth-wicket partnership before van Vuuren struck a double blow in the 46th over to complete his five-wicket haul - just his second of his first-class career.

And while the tail provided support, Singh was the final wicket to fall after edging Yusuf to first slip, finishing five runs short of his maiden first-class century.

SA ‘A’ made a solid start with a 45-run opening partnership before losing both openers to Jack (2-18). Tony de Zorzi (16) chipped one back to the seamer who held on to the return catch, before Lesego Senokwane (25) edged one to second slip. Hermann and Hamza guided the visitors safely through to stumps.

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).

Fixtures

Four-Day Series

22 - 25 May 

South Africa A beat England Lions by 8 wickets - Arundel Castle Cricket Club Ground, Arundel

29 May - 1 June at 12:00 CAT

England Lions v South Africa A - The Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham