A blistering maiden double century by Marques Ackerman put South Africa A in complete control after the second day of the first four-day match against West Indies A in Saint Lucia.
The left-hander belted 209 off just 170 balls, thumping 32 fours and two sixes, as the tourists progressed from their overnight 68-0 to 546-6.
There were also half-centuries from Jordan Hermann (52 off 85 balls; eight fours, one six), Jason Smith (56 off 82 balls; nine fours) and Rivaldo Moonsamy (68* off 103 balls; eight fours, one six) – all of which allowed the visitors to add 478 on the day to put themselves 306 runs ahead at the halfway stage.
It was a totally satisfying day for the South Africans, though it did not start in the best way after the unbroken overnight opening stand of 68 broke without the addition of a run.
Lesego Senokwane (28) was the man to fall, dismissed from the ninth ball of the day by Oshane Thomas (1-92).
That brought captain Ackerman to the middle and he was at the heart of his sides’ dominance from there.
Together with Hermann, he put on 63 for the second wicket, before the former fell to Ronaldo Alimohamed (1-72).
The skipper, whose previous best first-class score was 140, was then part of two century stands, putting his team in complete control.
He added 126 with Smith, taking their side to 257-2, and then a flowing 155 with Sinethemba Qeshile (48) as the South Africans moved to 412-3.
Ojay Shields (2-90) removed Smith and Ackerman, with Qeshile falling in between to Johann Layne (1-89).
Another quick wicket by Khary Pierre (1-105) – Lhuan-dre Pretorius out for 23 – did open the door slightly for the hosts at 455-6.
However, there was no let-up, with Moonsamy then picking up the baton.
The SA wicketkeeper added an unbroken 91 for the sixth wicket with Prenelan Subrayen (31*) leaving their side in complete control at the close.
