SOUTH Africa-A came off second best in their first taste of cricket with a pink ball, beaten by 197 runs by Australia-A at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.The local batsmen were too strong, with a first-day century to Marcus Stoinis and a second-innings 94 from opener Matt Renshaw while five-wicket hauls to fast men Chris Tremain and Joe Mennie kept South Africa’s batsmen in check over the course of the game.
Scores: Australia-A 396 (Stoinis 120, Patterson 74, Mennie 50*, Philander 3-52) and 7 for 248 decl. (Renshaw 94, Bancroft 71, Olivier 3-28) beat South Africa-A 284 (van Zyl 85, Vilas 60*, Elgar 56, Tremain 5-75) and 163 (Phehlukwayo 55, Mennie 5-38) by 197 runs.
Stoinis compiled 120 in the first innings and had assistance from Kurtis Patterson (74) and Mennie (50 not out), as Australia piled on 396.
Vernon Philander picked up 3 for 52 for the South Africans. Tremain’s 5 for 75 was the stand-out in South Africa’s first innings of 284, including the wicket of Test batsman Dean Elgar, who was caught behind for 56. Stiaan van Zyl top-scored with 85.
Already with a healthy lead, the Australians scored quickly in their second innings and a 146-run opening stand between Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft ensured South Africa would face a healthy target. Duanne Olivier picked up 3 for 28, including the wicket of Bancroft for 71, before the Australians declared on 7 for 248 and set South Africa 361 for victory.
The visitors made a miserable start to their chase, though, as Daniel Worrall struck twice in the first over of the innings. There was a recovery of sorts – Andile Phehlukwayo managed 55 – but Mennie collected 5 for 38 and finished South Africa off for 163.
The series continues with a second four-day match in Townsville starting on Saturday. (Cricinfo.com)