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The second day of the 4 day match saw a full day’s cricket played with South Africa A probably just edging the contest at the moment.
The second day of the 4 day match saw a full day’s cricket played with South Africa A probably just edging the contest at the moment. With Monday being rained out without a ball bowled it was a very different sky that greeted the teams this morning.
The Ireland XI saw Trent Johnston return to the side, whilst Andrew Balbirnie was unavailable as he has been called into the Middlesex First XI Squad for their County Championship game that starts against Surrey tomorrow. Stuart Poynter also came into the team as Andy Britton was injured and spent the morning at hospital getting an x-ray of his foot.

South Africa A named a four pronged pace attack alongside the off-spin of Simon Harmer as Ryan McClaren came into the side to join Wayne Parnell, Quinton Friend and Rory Kleinveldt to make up a fierce attack. It was Kleinveldt who did the damage early as Ireland were made to regret their decision of batting first with Kleinveldt’s opening spell leaving them reeling at 25 for 4. He dismissed Stuart Thompson and Alex Cusack off consecutive deliveries and was on a hat-trick when he began his next over. He missed out on the hat-trick but struck the next ball when he bowled Gary Wilson for a second-ball duck. Having lost three wickets in four balls, Ireland had to try and recover and it came with a well balanced partnership of aggression from Kevin O’Brien & patience from John Anderson as they compiled a 109-run stand. It was Ireland’s nemesis from Wicklow thought who again caused problems for the Irish lower middle order as Wayne Parnell rattled through the Irish tail, which couldn’t wag despite John Anderson’s best efforts. He was the last man out for a well made 68 as Ireland ended with 180 and Parnell finished with 5 for 52.

South Africa lost Dean Elgar early to the ever consistent Trent Johnston, but the tourists came back with a steady 48-run stand between Reeza Hendricks and Stiaan van Zyl. Ireland’s bowlers bowled with good consistency and they were rewarded for their efforts as John Anderson rounded off a fine day for himself by claiming a debut international wicket with his leg-spin. This was built upon by Max Sorensen claiming two wickets in two balls to leave the contest interestingly poised as South Africa A ended 101 for 4 mainly thanks to Reeza Hendricks 41 and Stiaan Van Zyl’s unbeaten 33. If the weather can hold despite the forecasters predictions, all three results are still definitely possible.

Play will start again tomorrow at 11am with free admission again.

The full scorecard for the day can be viewed here

Cricket Ireland
[346] Kevin O’Brien – obrien-kevin
[350] Max Sorensen – sorensen-max
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