South Africa A in command against India A

Krishnagiri (Kerala), August 19 - Left-handed batsman Quinton de Kock scored a quick fire century to help South Africa A pile up a massive first innings score of 542 as India A struggled at 122/3 at stumps on the second day of the first four-day cricket match at the Krishnagiri Stadium here on Wednesday.

For India A, skipper Ambati Rayudu (11 not out) and (Karun Nair 0 not out) remained unbeaten at the end of the day with a challenging task ahead as the hosts trail by an enormous 420 runs with seven wickets in hand in the first innings.

Resuming the day at 293/4, the visitors went on full attacking mode, aiming to mount a big total. Their plan worked perfectly as de Kock struck 113 off just 102 balls alongside skipper Dane Vilas' 74-ball 75 to help the team score 249 runs in just 51 overs on Day 2.

For the hosts, spinners Axar Patel (4/115), Shreyas Iyer (2/29), Jayant Yadav (2/177) were the pick of the bowlers. The others leaked plenty of runs.

The first day belonged to left-handed middle order batsman Omphile Ramela, who struck 121 to put the visitors in a commanding position at the start.

The lower order batsmen responded well on Day 2 with crucial partnerships and handy knocks to put ample pressure on India A.

De Kock and Vilas struck a 107-run partnership for the seventh wicket to take the score close to the 500-run mark. De Kock hit 13 fours and three sixes while Vilas struck 10 fours and two sixes in their century-run stand.

Tailenders Keshav Maharaj and Dane Paterson scored 19 and 13 not out respectively which proved costly for India A at the end.

In reply to South Africa's challenging score, India A started their first innings steadily, taking note of the opposition pacers.

Openers Abhinav Mukund (38) and Jiwanjot Singh (22) held on till the 13th over, scoring at a slow pace. But right-arm spinner Dane Piedt got the better of Jiwanjot to clean bowl him, leaving India at 43/1.

Incoming batsman Shreyas Iyer (49) and Mukund looked set to take the score past the 100-run mark but Piedt struck for the second time to get set batsman Mukund out in the same fashion.

Iyer, who was looking good, also departed soon, putting the hosts in trouble just before stumps.

Brief scores: South Africa A 542 (Quinton de Kock 113, Omphile Ramela 112, Dane Vilas 75; Axar Patel 4/115, Shreyas Iyer 2/29, Jayant Yadav 2/177) vs India A 122/3 (Shreyas Iyer 49; Dane Piedt 2/47, Wayne Parnell 1/30).

(IANS)