The Knights seamer took 5-53 to spearhead a disciplined bowling effort that restricted the hosts to 193 all out in 55.4 overs. Codi Yusuf supported with 3-51 and Dane Paterson chipped in with 2-39 as England Lions, who chose to bat first, were bowled out inside the day.
Ekansh Singh top-scored with 95 – just five runs short of a maiden first-class century – but was left stranded as the next highest score in the innings was just 18.
Singh added 52 for the eighth wicket with Eddie Jack before Van Vuuren struck twice in the 46th over to complete his five-for and wrap up the lower order.
The collapse was dramatic. After Paterson removed Ben McKinney early, Van Vuuren and Yusuf shared five wickets between them to reduce the Lions from 30-1 to 36-5 in the space of two overs. Van Vuuren dismissed Dan Mousley, Rehan Ahmed and Ben Mayes in quick succession, while Yusuf trapped Asa Tribe leg before wicket in between.
In reply, SA ‘A’ made a steady start before losing both openers to Eddie Jack, who finished with 2-18. Tony de Zorzi fell for 16 and Lesego Senokwane for 25, but Jordan Hermann and Zubayr Hamza guided the visitors safely through to stumps on 73-2, trailing by 120 runs with eight wickets in hand.
Van Vuuren was understandably pleased after claiming only his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
“Five-fers don’t come that often, so I’m really pleased to have made the most of the opportunity,” he said. “The bowling unit did a great job restricting them to under 200. With two batters already in, I feel like we’re in a really good position.”
SA ‘A’ won the first match in the two-game series and will resume on day two with the upper hand.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
