India A vs South Africa A, 2nd Unofficial Test, Day 3, Review: Persistent rain allows only 32.4 overs of action

South Africa A had turned the tables on the home side on the second day of the ongoing four-day game in Alur. Their bowlers hit the right lengths and effected a sensational collapse and batted bravely only for the bad light and rain to stop the play. The third day was no different as the rain made its presence felt on a number of occasions and only 32.4 overs of play was possible in which India A bowlers reaped benefits of the overcast conditions and scalped 4 wickets.

The visitors resumed from 219/3 earlier in the morning with Rassie van der Dussen and Rudi Second in the middle. They would’ve hoped to continue playing well and take the lead in the first innings. But the incisive bowling on an overcast morning by the Indian bowlers didn’t allow them to score freely. Only 14 runs were scored in the initial 10 overs and Dussen was sent back by Ankit Rajpoot as he edged one to the wicketkeeper, Srikar Bharat.

Wickets continue to fall

Soon his partner also fell to the same over and unfortunately couldn’t reach the well-deserved half-century. He scored 47 runs off 108 balls and hit 7 fours during his stay in the middle. Dwaine Pretorius was the next one to follow and this time, the spinner Jayant Yadav was in the action. He was expensive yesterday and made amends straightaway by picking a wicket early in his spell.

However, Senuran Muthusamy and Dane Piedt batted bravely and denied India a wicket for 11 overs and went on to add 40 runs for the seventh wicket. Both of them were looking comfortable and were threatening to get close to India’s total. Piedt especially looked good with his footwork as he smashed 3 fours and a six as well.

Mohammed Siraj, however, came back for a new spell and castled him right away to rejuvenate the Indian camp as the opposition was still 51 runs away from their score. Unfortunately, the rain arrived and the play was stopped which never resumed with South Africa A at 294/7 as Senuran remained unbeaten on 23. The game is definitely heading towards a tame draw and India A look set to win the two-match series.

Brief Score:

India A: 345 after 110 overs (H Vihari 148, A Bawne 80; D Olivier 6/63)

South Africa A: 294/7 after 92.3 overs (Z Hamza 93, S Erwee 58; A Rajpoot 2/42, M Siraj 2/58)

State of the Match: South Africa A trail by 51 runs.

Keep following CricTracker for more news and updates.