Bedingham’s unbeaten 188 led SA A to a Victory

David Bedingham's stunning unbeaten 188 led South Africa A to a convincing five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka A in the final one-day match of their three-match series in Potchefstroom. Despite already trailing 2-0 in the series, the hosts chased down a formidable target of 309 with more than seven overs to spare, securing a morale-boosting win ahead of the red-ball leg of the tour.

Bedingham’s innings, featuring 20 fours and five sixes from 129 balls, was his highest-ever List A score, surpassing his previous best of 152. His exceptional knock ensured South Africa A ended the series on a high note.

Sri Lanka A, opting to bat first after winning the toss, posted a challenging total thanks to contributions from Lahiru Udara (90 off 94 balls), Nuwanidu Fernando (52 off 52), and Chamindu Wickramasinghe (70 off 54). However, South Africa A’s bowling unit, led by Dewald Brevis (4-46), kept the tourists in check, with Dayyaan Galiem (1-22) and Tristan Luus (1-34) chipping in with wickets.

In pursuit of 309, South Africa A got off to a flying start, with Bedingham and Tony de Zorzi (25) adding 104 runs in just over nine overs. A further 99-run partnership between Bedingham and captain Matthew Breetzke (36) propelled the hosts to 203 by the halfway mark. Meeka-eel Prince (31) contributed to a crucial 71-run stand for the fourth wicket, guiding South Africa A to victory with 43 balls remaining.

Bedingham's remarkable performance not only sealed the win but also showcased his ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations, offering a significant boost to the team's confidence moving forward.