The South African A side overcame a tricky start on day one of their first four-day encounter against India A thanks to crucial hundreds from captain Pieter Malan and Tony de Zorzi as the hosts reached stumps on 343 / 3 at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, the SA A side lost two quick morning session wickets with Navdeep Saini (1 – 57) and Arzan Nagwaswalla (1 - 58) striking early for the visitors before Malan and De Zorzi combined for a third wicket stand worth 217 to put South Africa in control.

De Zorzi continued his Six Gun Grill Western Province form with the bat to bring up his fifth First-Class hundred with an innings of 117 off 186 balls (18 fours) while his former provincial teammate, Malan went one better to finish the day unbeaten on 157 off 258 (18 fours), recording his 37th career ton in red-ball cricket.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins all-rounder Jason Smith closed the day out alongside Malan on an 88-ball 51* (4 fours, 1), while India A’s Umran Malik (1 – 43) picked up the other wicket to fall on day one.

Latest Score:

 South Africa A leads India A by 343 runs 

 South Africa A: 343 / 3 after 90 overs; P. Malan 157* (258), T. De Zorzi 117 (186); U. Malik 1 – 43, N. Saini 1 - 57

India A: Yet to bat.