South African Batsman Matthew Breetzke struck an unbeaten century as South Africa A (SA ‘A’) enjoyed a productive opening day to the first unofficial test against Sri Lanka (SL ’A’). the match took place at the Kimberly Oval in Kimberly on Sunday. The match was highly contested between the two teams.
The right-hander batted for the better part of day one facing 177 deliveries and striking 11 boundaries in an innings of 112* to help his side reach the close on 294 for four. There were also impressive performances from Tshepang Dithole and Marques Ackerman, who both hit half-centuries in the Northern Cape where the home side had won the toss and opted to bat first in good conditions. Seasoned opener Dithole led from the front with a patient 52 off 130 balls (7 fours) that gave the hosts a solid start. He put on 62 for the opening wicket alongside captain Neil Brand (39), who was first to fall to Nishan Peiris (1/73).
Breetzke is a right hander meaning he had great aim in batting those 177 deliveries and succeeded in making those 11 strikes. The close of 294 innings for four was the crowning glory for a winning take. The whole point of the game of cricket is to aim to break the opposing team’s wickets as many times as possible to achieve a score. The running around the edge of the playing field to the designated corners is meant to block the opposing team from retaliating. Breetzke, Dithole, and Ackerman along with the other members of the South African team have to be highly skilled in combatting their opponents. Be they the Sri Lankan team who are themselves very tough to beat or any other.
Left-hander Dithole then put on 79 with Breetzke for the second wicket to put the South Africans firmly in control at 141 for one midway through the day. After the departure of the former to pick of the bowlers Eshan Malinga (2/49), the latter went on to put on 108 for the third wicket alongside the impressive Ackerman (69 off 97 balls, 10 fours). Though Ackerman then fell followed by Sinethemba Qeshile for two, Breetzke remained focused and went on to complete his century before the close with the home side well-placed in Kimberley.
Everything in the match depends on how the ball in question is bowled or batted. Dithole, Breetzke and the rest of the team are meant to be trained at their peak. Training for a sport is a demanding process. When we are referring to picking of the bowlers, we are referring to ensuring that when they bowl the ball across, the batsmen strike back hard. Preventing the ball from hitting the designated wickets. The purpose of the strike against the wickets by the bowler is similar to a goal in a soccer match. The batsman is like a goals’ keeper protecting the wickets from being struck.
Meanwhile the United Arab Emirates will be playing host to South Africa’s White-ball series against Afghanistan and Ireland in September and October.
Proteas white-ball head coach Rob Walter announced the squads for their white-ball tour of the UAE, starting with the ODI series against Afghanistan followed by T20Is and ODIs against Ireland. All-rounder Andile Simelane has received a maiden call-up and will be a part of all three squads after being a part of both the Emerging and ‘A’ squads recently. Additionally, all-rounder Jason Smith and spinner Nqaba Peter, both of whom have previously been capped in T20Is, are in line for ODI debuts following their inclusion in the 50-over squad. The Proteas have received a significant boost with the return of pace bowler Lungi Ngidi, who has fully recovered from a right calf injury and is included in all three squads. Ngidi has featured in just two T20Is and two Tests since last November. He was part of South Africa’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad this year as a reserve but did not play a game.
So now the Proteas will be going to the Emirates to compete first against the Afghans and then the Irish. The UAE tour will be closely watched by South Africa and the participating nations to see who will achieve victory. Competing for a place on the Proteas will be the best players who can prove that they have what it takes to win. Being on top of their game is essential to winning but so is cooperation and teamwork. The teams in question that the Proteas will be competing against from Ireland and Afghanistan will have their own unique toughness that South Africa has to be weary of. Competing against either of these shall we say battle hardened teams leaves much to be desired for in terms of relying on their wits to win. The return of bowler Ngidi after his recovery from hospital after recovering from his injury is a sign of good fortune for the team.
It now depends on the how the Proteas will compete on its tour of the UAE. For South African Cricket it depends on who can be more than their best at bowling or batting.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
