The touring South Africa A side sealed an emphatic eight-wicket victory over the England Lions on the final day of the first unofficial test in Arundel on Monday.
There were a number of notable performances on the South African side who take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Captain Marques Ackerman starred with the bat during the first innings, while a strong bowling performance laid the platform for a commanding win in the four-day encounter.
After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the England Lions were bundled out for 157 in their first innings.
Jason Smith led the charge with an outstanding 4-15 in 9.5 overs, while Nqobani Mokoena (3-50) and Dane Paterson (2-35) provided excellent support.
SA A then recovered brilliantly from a precarious 54-5 thanks to Ackerman’s superb 173 off just 136 balls. His innings included 25 fours and five sixes and transformed the match.
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Ackerman shared crucial lower-order partnerships with Sinethemba Qeshile (22), Prenelan Subrayen (29) and Paterson (27 not out) as SA A posted 331 to secure a healthy 174-run lead.
The Lions fought back strongly in their second innings through centuries from Asa Tribe (135) and Ben Mayes (105), eventually reaching 387 all out.
Mokoena claimed 3-75, Paterson 3-76, and Ottneil Baartman chipped in with 2-63.
Chasing 214 for victory, SA A made light work of the target. Jordan Hermann struck an unbeaten 70 off 122 balls, while Lesego Senokwane added 55 in a second-wicket stand of 106.
Zubayr Hamza then accelerated the finish with an unbeaten 55 off just 44 balls as he and Hermann shared an unbroken 81-run partnership to guide SA A home before lunch on the final day.
The second unofficial Test starts in Beckenham on Friday.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
