Chennai, Aug 12 (IANS) South Africa A’s batting crumbled under pressure as Australia A pulled off a massive 108-run victory in the ongoing 50-over tri-series at the M.A. Chidambaram stadium here on Wednesday.
Chasing Australia A’s 272, South Africa A team kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could only manage 164 in 37.1 overs.
Heading into the rescheduled fifth encounter of the series which also involves India A, South Africa A fielded a strong unit as most of the players barring Quinton de Kock regained full fitness after a food poisoning incident in the last match.
South Africa A skipper Dean Elgar top scored for his side with 64, but it wasn’t enough. Australia A’s Ashton Agar (3/41) and leg-spinner Cameron Boyce (3/48) took three wickets each. With the loss South Africa A are out of the tournament.
South Africa A did not recover from the early jolt as Agar and Boyce kept them on a tight leash. Only skipper Elgar fought back with a few hefty blows en route to his 64, but then fell attempting a slog-sweep.
Khaya Zondo tried hard with a knock of 47, but once he got out the lower order failed to deliver with the last four batsmen contributing just two runs with their willow.
Earlier, Australia A posted a strong total of 27 runs riding on the century (130) captain Matthew Wade made. Wade was well supported by Peter Handscomb (52).
Pacer Lonwabo Tsotsobe returned with figures of 3/50 from his nine overs as Australia lost their last five wickets for 70 runs, ending with 272 in 47.2 overs.
Brief scores:
Australia A 272 all out (Matthew Wade 130, Peter Handscomb 52; Lonwabo Tsotsobe 3/50) vs South Africa A 164 all out (Dean Elgar 64; Ashton Agar 3/41, Cameron Boyce 3/48)
