A century for Rilee, but Marchant sent to hospital
RILEE Rossouw struck an unbeaten century to help South Africa “A” to a 210-run first-innings lead over Australia “A” on the second day of the second unofficial Test in Rustenburg yesterday.
A major concern for the home team, however, is the condition of injury-prone fast bowler Marchant de Lange, who bowled only one over in the Australian second innings before leaving the field with a side-strain.
South Africa “A” coach Vinnie Barnes said that De Lange had mentioned feeling some discomfort while he was batting.
“He wanted to test it out when we bowled again, but I took him off the field as a precautionary measure after he’d bowled one over. We’ve sent him to hospital for a scan and we’re awaiting the result,” Barnes said.
Barnes, though, stressed that even if De Lange was unable to bowl again in the match, the pitch was taking an increasing amount of spin and off-spinner Simon Harmer would have an important role to play today.
South Africa had lost Temba Bavuma early in the day, but Rossouw anchored the South Africa innings yesterday, striking an unbeaten 115 and featuring in half-century partnerships with Justin Ontong and Harmer.
The talented Knights lefthander, one of the cleanest hitters in the domestic game, batted for nearly five hours and struck 15 fours.
Leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for Australia A, ending with figures of 4/80.
By the close, Australia had replied with 112/2 in their second innings, 98 runs in arrears. Kyle Abbott and Harmer quickly dismissed the openers, but Alex Doolan and first innings top-scorer Nic Maddinson featured in an unbroken 74-run partnership for the third wicket.
Cape Cobras left-armer Beuran Hendricks, who claimed five wickets in the first innings, had yet to taste success second time around.