India A vs South Africa A, 2nd Unofficial Test, Day 2, Review: Zubayr brings visitors back in the game

The second of the two unofficial Tests between India A and South Africa A had started off favouring the host with the Indian batters managing to put up 322 runs on the board for the loss of 4 wickets in their first-day quota of 90 overs. Having been able to finish the opening day on high, India A were looking to start from where they left. However, they lost the wickets in quick succession and managed to add just 23 runs with the bat on the second morning.

Duanne Olivier – Star for South Africa

The middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari was India‘s star with the bat, having scored over 40 per cent of the runs for his side. He smashed 148 runs laced with 14 delightful boundaries. The lower order wasn’t able to get going and in lieu of that India A, got all out for 345 runs. For South Africa A, Duanne Olivier was the pick of the bowler as he took six wickets for 63 runs.

The visiting team’s openers Peter Malan and Sarel Erwee took guard initiating their response, however, their partnership didn’t last long as Mohammad Siraj bowled a magnificent delivery to send Malan back for a golden duck. Malan’s wicket didn’t turn the sky down for South Africa A as Zubayr and Sarel posted a 154 runs partnership of the second wicket to drive their team in a strong position.

For India, it was Yuzvendra Chahal who managed to send both the set batsmen back to the pavilion. Zubayr got out just seven short of what would’ve been a magnificent hundred and Erwee scored 58. At the end of the second day’s play, Rassie van der Dussen and the wicketkeeper-batsman Rudi Second were at the crease for the score of 18 and 35 runs respectively. Both the batsmen will be hoping to build up a strong partnership from here on and earn a dominant position for their team.

On the other hand, it will be interesting to see whether the Indian team can make a comeback and restrict them to a low total. With the ball, Chahal and Siraj were the only two who made things happen for India, and skipper Shreyas Iyer will be banking on both of them heading into day 3.

Brief Scores

India A: 345/10 in 101 overs (Hanuma Vihari 148; Duanne Olivier 6/63)

South Africa A: 219/3 in 59.5 overs (Zubayr 93; Chahal 2/62)

Stumps – Day 2

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