Tour Match: South Africa 'A' v Sri Lankans at Kimberley, 25-25 Oct 2002 CricInfo Live Report

Tour Match: South Africa 'A' v Sri Lankans at Kimberley, 25-25 Oct 2002
Keith Lane

Pre-game: Toss,
South Africa 'A' 1st innings: 10 overs, Lunch, 50 Overs, Drinks, Stumps,

SOUTH AFRICA 'A' TAKE HONOURS ON DAY ONE
After losing a wicket in the first over South Africa ‘A’ have, thanks to hundreds from McKenzie and Dippenaar, put them into a good position at close of play against Sri Lanka in Kimberley.

Jacques Rudolph bowled by Chaminda Vaas in the first over was followed by a 68 run recovery between Alviro Petersen and Boeta Dippenaar when Dilhara Fernando had Petersen caught for 42.

With Neil McKenzie joining Dippenaar the two patiently played their way through the early part of their innings always increasing the rate with McKenzie progressively the more aggressive.

McKenzie the first to pass the three figure mark, was followed by the patient Dippenaar for both to still be at the crease at stumps. McKenzie having gone to 140, Dippenaar to 101, and South Africa ‘A’ to 289/2.

Early on the Sri Lankans bowled with good consistency, restricting the batsmen to working the ball around, but as the day grew and the temperature increased they started to waver.

A long day could await them again tomorrow.

MCKENZIE LEADS WAY IN SOUTH AFRICA 'A' REVIVAL
McKenzie has gone to his second First Class hundred in as many matches as South Africa extend their score against Sri Lanka to 246/2 as the final drinks break was taken.

Accelerating his rate after scoring his 50 he reached the three figures in 175 minutes totally dominating the South African innings. Together with Dippenaar they had put together an unbroken partnership of 178 with McKenzie on 123 and Dippenaar on 78.

SOUTH AFRICA 'A' BUILD TOWARDS A SOLID FOUNDATION
A very patient innings from McKenzie and especially Dippenaar allowed the South African innings to grow to 176/2 after the completion of the 50th over.

With Muttiah Muralitharan not included in this match the onus was on the other bowlers. A task they accepted well, with some disciplined bowling, especially Hasantha Fernando, making it very difficult for the two at the crease to score fluently.

Mckenzie going to his 50 in 82 minutes appeared to accelerate the rate while Dippenaar passing the same milestone in 193 minutes was content on keeping his end up and giving the strike to his partner.

SOUTH AFRICA 'A' RECOVER TO 101/2 AT LUNCH AGAINST SRI LANKA
Dippenaar and McKenzie have consolidated the South African innings taking the hosts to 101/2 at lunch on day one of the four-day match against Sri Lanka at Kimberley.

South Africa ‘A’ recovered well from the early set back with Alviro Peterson and Dippenaar putting together a 68 run partnership.

Dilhara Fernando got the breakthrough when he deceived Petersen into driving at a slower ball to be well caught at mid on for 42 and South Africa two down for 68.

Undefeated at lunch, Dippenaar on 32 and Neil McKenzie on 24, both batsmen were working hard together, not only to get the team into a good position, but also playing for a chance to get back into the national squad.

EARLY WICKET FOR SRI LANKA
Chaminda Vaas started his tour off on the right foot clean bowling Jacques Rudolph with the fifth ball of the innings. Left hander to left hander, he got the ball through the gate and the South Africans 0/1.

Alviro Petersen and Boeta Dippenaar settled the innings down with Peterson the more aggressive of the two. After 10 overs the hosts had gone to 38/1 with Petersen on 26 and Dippenaar on 11.

SRI LANKA FIELD FIRST IN TOUR OPENER
Sri Lanka starts its South African tour with a four-day warm-up match against South Africa ‘A’ in Kimberley.

South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first in the heat of the Northern Cape.

South Africa 'A' team: JA Rudolph, AN Petersen, HH Dippenaar, ND McKenzie, *DM Benkenstein, JL Ontong, AJ Hall, RJ Peterson, +TL Tsolekile, S Elworthy, Q Friend.

Sri Lankans team: *ST Jayasuriya, MS Atapattu, KC Sangakkara, DPMD Jayawardene, HP Tillakaratne, RP Arnold, WPUJC Vaas, KHRK Fernando, +HAPW Jayawardene, CRD Fernando, MKGCP Lakshitha.