THE South Africans were frustrated by a splendid half-century from Worcestershire’s England Under-19 all-rounder Aneesh Kapil in the drawn two-day tour match at New Road.
The talented youngster struck 67, containing 12 fours off 80 balls, before his side were dismissed for 245 – a slender first innings advantage of eight runs. Left-arm spinner Robin Peterson finished with four for 65 and by the close the tourists had limped to 67 for four with Worcestershire paceman Chris Russell taking three for 32.
For 18-year-old Wolverhampton-born Kapil it was a memorable knock against the visitors who were given a valuable sun-soaked work-out ahead of their second Investec Test against England, starting at Headingley on Thursday.
The hosts, who resumed on 70 for three in reply to the tourists’ first innings total of 237 for nine declared, produced a gritty performance before being dismissed after 73.5 overs.
Matt Pardoe took his overnight score of 40 to 53 before he fell after a defiant 174-minute innings which included eight fours off 117 balls.
The hosts lost Neil Pinner, on five overnight, when he was snapped up low down by wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile off an edge against Lowanbo Tsotsobe. Young all-rounder Joe Leach, making his debut for Worcestershire, was bowled by Morne Morkel for 16 before the hosts reached lunch on 139 for six.
Kapil wasted little time after the interval to reach his half-century with 10 fours off 44 balls. He finally departed when he was bowled leg stump while trying to play an off-drive against Peterson, who followed up shortly afterwards by removing Ben Scott, for a useful 33, and David Lucas in successive deliveries.
Last pair Richard Jones and Chris Russell then joined forces to top up Worcestershire’s tally which overtook the tourists’ first innings total in the 72nd over. Spinner Peterson ended their 29-run partnership by adding Jones to his haul.
The South Africans’ second innings got off to an uncomfortable start with Russell continuing to celebrate his first senior appearance for two years by removing Albie Morkel, JP Duminy and Dale Steyn, while Lucas bowled opener Alviro Petersen for 11 as the visitors ended on a sour note. (PA Sport)