Van Zyl best for South Africa A
Axar Patel headed a fine fightback by India A’s trio of spin bowlers to restrict South Africa A to a disappointing 260 all out at stumps on the opening day of the decisive second unofficial four-day Test match in Wayanad on Tuesday.
The South Africans, who won the toss, had made a strong start when Reeza Hendricks and Stiaan van Zyl put on 58 for the first wicket.
Van Zyl and Gihahn Cloete added a further 49 for the second wicket and Van Zyl and Omphile Ramela 78 for the third to reach 185/3 in 59 overs.
However, Patel and his partners then sparked a calamitous collapse that saw the last seven wickets fall for only 75 runs.
Van Zyl stood alone with his innings of 96 off 193 balls (13 fours and a six) with extras making the next highest contribution of 33.
Patel finished with figures of 5/92.
It is the fourth five-wicket haul of his first-class career.
Off-spinner Jayant Yadav took 3/53 and leg-spinner Karn Sharma 2/36.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
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