Cricket
SA A draw first blood against English Lions─── MORGAN PIEK 08:16 Tue, 26 May 2026
South Africa A drew first blood in the two-match unofficial Test series against the English Lions after securing an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the opening encounter in Arundel.
South Africa’s next-best started the match dominantly by skittling the hosts for just 157 in 44.5 overs in their first innings. Ekansh Singh top-scored for the Lions with 25, while wicketkeeper Ben Mayes added 21 and Mitchell Stanley chipped in with 20 in an otherwise disappointing batting display.
Tony de Zorzi. Photo: CSA
Dolphins and Proteas all-rounder Jason Smith led the charge with the ball for the visitors, producing a superb spell of 4/15 in 9.5 overs. Nqobani Mokoena provided excellent support with 3/50, while experienced seamer Dane Paterson weighed in with 2/53 as South Africa A kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
In reply, South Africa A piled on 331 in their first innings to claim a commanding lead of 174 runs.
The foundation of the innings was laid by a magnificent captain’s knock from Marques Ackerman, who blasted a sensational 173 off just 136 deliveries. Ackerman dominated the English attack with an array of strokes around the ground, smashing 25 fours and five sixes in a truly entertaining innings.
Prenelan Subrayen contributed a valuable 29, while Paterson showed plenty of grit lower down the order with a stubborn 27.
Nqobani Mokoena. Photo: CSA
Stanley was the pick of the English bowlers with 3/77, while Eddie Jack also worked hard for his 3/86.
The Lions responded with far greater resistance in their second innings. Asa Tribe produced an excellent 135 off 260 balls, while Mayes backed him up superbly with 105 off 194 deliveries as the home side posted 387 to set South Africa A a target of 214 for victory.
Mokoena once again impressed with the ball, claiming 3/75, while Paterson continued his influential all-round performance in the match with figures of 3/76.
Lesego Senokwane. Photo: CSA
Free State opener Lesego Senokwane then set the tone in the run chase with a patient and composed 55 off 115 balls before he was bowled by Jack.
Jordan Hermann anchored the innings beautifully with an unbeaten 70 off 122 deliveries, while Zubayr Hamza added the finishing touches with a rapid, unbeaten 54 off just 44 balls as South Africa A raced to victory in 50.2 overs.
The win gives South Africa A an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series, and they will now head into the second unofficial Test chasing a clean sweep.
The second match gets underway on Friday in Beckenham, with the first ball scheduled for noon.
