Cricket
Windies 'A' edge SA 'A' by a wicket in first unofficial Test─── 09:08 Sat, 25 Nov 2023
Kevin Sinclair held off a valiant all-round effort from the South Africa A (SA ‘A’) bowlers with an unbeaten 80 to help West Indies A clinch a narrow one-wicket win on the final day of the first four-day match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday.
The visitors resumed the day requiring 216 runs to win with 10 wickets in hand, but it was paceman Mihlali Mpongwana (3/25), together with double strikes from Hardus Viljoen (2/43) and Dane Piedt (2/58), that set up an exhilarating day of red-ball cricket with either result possible heading into the final hour of play.
Mpongwana struck the first blow two overs into the start of play as he had overnight batter Zachary McCaskie caught behind for 6.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kirk McKenzie then combined to add 66 runs before Piedt removed the latter for 36.
Mpongwana claimed his second of the innings after Chanderpaul (35) was adjudged leg before wicket. Once he departed, the visitors lost their next four wickets for just 22 runs. Kavem Hodge (12) became Mpongwana’s third scalp as he edged one behind before Duanne Olivier (1/36) removed Tevin Imlach (2) one ball later.
Viljoen then bowled Joshua Da Silva (5), while Tshepho Moreki (1/42) had Akeem Jordan (5) caught behind to leave West Indies A reeling at 119-7 with another 105 runs still required for victory.
Sinclair (80* off 150 balls, 8 fours, 3 sixes) led the fightback with Jayden Seales (12) and Jair McAllister (7* off 34 balls, 1 four) in support.
Sinclair and McAllister fended off the SA ‘A’ bowling attack with a nerve-wrecking 53-run last wicket stand to secure a tense win for the tourists.
The result means West Indies A lead the three-match series 1-0. The second match gets underway on Tuesday, 28 November at Buffalo Park in East London.
