An outstanding display of spin bowling from Prenelan Subrayen has put South Africa A (SA 'A') in a strong position, although Sri Lanka A (SL 'A') staged a fightback to leave the second and final unofficial Test delicately balanced after three days of play at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Tuesday.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins bowler achieved figures of six for 64 over 22 overs, turning the match in favour of the hosts by dismissing the tourists for 319 – giving them a modest innings deficit of 15. By the close of play, South Africa had reached 112 for three, establishing a lead of 127 with everything to play for on Wednesday, the final day of the series.
In a day filled with twists, South Africa initially struggled against Lahiru Udara, who produced a brilliant century. Udara scored 129 off 192 balls, including 16 fours and one six, anchoring the Sri Lankan innings as he and his captain Pasindu Sooriyabandara (92 runs off 166 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) formed a formidable partnership of 179 runs for the third wicket. Home captain Neil Brand (2/45) eventually broke through by bowling Sooriyabandara, yet the problems for SA 'A' continued as Udara added another 36 runs with Janith Liyanage (14), advancing their total to 272 for three.
That's when Subrayen took control, swiftly claiming six of the remaining seven wickets as Sri Lanka collapsed, losing their last seven wickets for just 47 runs, thus granting South Africa a slight edge at the change of innings.
However, early losses in their second innings struck again as Brand (7), Tshepang Dithole (19), and Marques Ackerman (6) fell quickly, leaving South Africa in a precarious position at 68 for three, leading by only 83 runs at that point.
Fortunately, an essential unbroken partnership of 44 runs between Jean du Plessis (45*) and Dewald Brevis (29*) helped stabilise the innings and offered the hosts a chance to push for a result on day four.
South Africa A Four-Day Squad Against Sri Lanka A: Neil Brand (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Marques Ackerman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepang Dithole (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jean du Plessis (Dafabet Warriors), Patrick Kruger (Dafabet Warriors), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Migael Pretorius (North West Dragons), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Beyers Swanepoel (Dafabet Warriors), Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions)
Upcoming Four-Day Matches:
- September 8 – 11 at 10:00: South Africa A lost to Sri Lanka A by 6 wickets – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley
- September 15 – 18 at 10:00: South Africa A vs. Sri Lanka A – Willowmoore Park, Benoni