SA ‘A’ disappoint at Sussex

SOUTH Africa “A” coach, Shukri Conrad admitted that losing to Sussex the way they did was a wake-up call ahead of their big tour-ending match against the England Lions starting in midweek.

The visitors were bowled out for scores of 185 and then 223 in their follow-on innings in Arundel as they slumped to an innings and 50-run defeat on Friday.

It was the second of two first-class, warm-up matches on the trip, which now culminates to a one-off, four-day encounter against their English counterparts from June 21 to 24.

“The clash against Sussex didn’t go as planned,” a disappointed Conrad said. “Obviously it was not a great result and that goes without saying because it’s never enjoyable to lose and especially in the manner in which we did. Hopefully it serves as a real wake-up call.”

South Africa “A” went into the game high on confidence after beating Hampshire in their first four-day outing in Southampton, but they folded against Sussex, losing inside three days.

The South Africans have already lost the one-day leg of the trip 2-0 to the Lions. Conrad believes that the entire trip was nonetheless a learning experience for his charges.

“It’s all part of preparing for our game against the Lions,” he added. “It’s all about getting guys into form, some have done so already and others haven’t unfortunately.” – ANA