South Africa ‘A’ crush WI ‘A’ in opening ‘Test’

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):

SOUTH AFRICA ‘A’ predictably romped to victory over West Indies ‘A’ in the first unofficial ‘Test’ at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Beginning the day in the precarious position of 251 for six, still needing to score another 109 runs to make the visitors bat again, West Indies ‘A’ added just 22 to lose by an innings and 88 runs.

It was another disappointing batting display by the West Indies, who made just 240 in their first innings, only to watch South Africa post an imposing 600 for seven declared.

The home side was undermined by South Africa’s bowling duo of Prenelan Subrayen and Tristan Luus, who shared nine wickets between them.

West Indies had only added three runs to their overnight score when medium-pacer Luus struck to dismiss Khary Pierre for a 19-ball duck.

Off-spinner Subrayen then accounted for the wickets of Johann Layne and Oshane Thomas in quick succession, before Luus ended the contest by bowling Ronaldo Alimohamed for 40.

Subrayen ended with impressive figures of 5-82 from 30 overs, while Luus took 4-86.

Earlier, the West Indies were put to the sword by South Africa ‘A’ skipper Marques Ackerman, who scored 209 from just 170 deliveries, inclusive of 32 boundaries and two sixes.

Ackerman was ably assisted in stoking the fire of West Indies ‘A’s destruction by four half-centuries.

Opener Jordan Hermann struck 52, while Jason Smith scored 56 either side of Ackerman, before wicketkeeper Rivaldo Moonsamy scored a patient enough 68 from 104 deliveries. Prenelan Subrayen then further frustrated the hosts with an unbeaten 64 before his team declared.