Middle-order batsman Omphile Ramela struck an attractive century as South Africa ‘A’ posted a comfortable 293 for 4 on the opening day of the first unofficial 'Test' against India ‘A’, in Wayanad, Kerala, on Tuesday.
Riding on the left-hander’s 112 off 197 balls, the Proteas dictated terms after skipper Dane Vilas chose to bat first at the picturesque stadium, located in the hilly region of Krishnagiri.
Opener Reeza Hendricks, who scored 50, and Temba Bavuma, unbeaten on 55 off 117 deliveries, inclusive of seven boundaries, were the other notable contributors to the South Africans’ total.
Ramela and Bavuma added 136 runs for the fourth wicket in 39.5 overs.
Ramela’s fifth first-class century, in his 75th game, was studded with 12 boundaries and three sixes. He was particularly severe on off-spinner Jayant Yadav (1-88 in 24 overs), hitting him for a few sixes during his close to four hours' knock.
Limited-overs’ specialist Axar Patel was the most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 52 in 24 overs while seamer Ishwar Pandey got one wicket.
Patel, who bowled eight maidens, however, did not show much variation to trouble the batsmen and both his wickets were primarily the result of mistakes committed by the batsmen.
After a nightmarish tri-series, during which they lost all four round-robin matches, the Proteas gave a far better account of themselves on the opening day.
Hendricks, whose 50 was laced with seven fours and two sixes, added 60 in 20 overs for the opening stand with fellow-opener Stiaan van Zyl (28).
Yadav got the breakthrough, having Van Zyl caught by India ‘A’ captain Ambati Rayudu.
Right-hander Hendricks was gone at the team’s total of 100 when he nicked one off Pandey to wicketkeeper Ankush Bains.
Ramela entered the crease at the fall of Hendricks's wicket and added 57 for the third wicket with an attacking Theunis de Bruyn, whose 38 had seven fours.
Once De Bruyn was caught by Vijay Shankar off Patel, Ramela and Bavuma played cautiously but, at the same time, punished the loose deliveries.
India’s bowling lacked sting and the Wayanad pitch also helped the South African batsmen's stroke-play.
Scorecard
South Africa ‘A’ (1st innings):
R Hendricks c Bains b Pandey 50
S van Zyl c Rayudu b Yadav 28
T de Bruyn c Shankar b Patel 38
O Ramela c Bains b Patel 112
T Bavuma batting 55
D Piedt batting 0
Extras: (b-4, lb-3, nb-3) 10
Total: (For 4 wickets; 88 overs) 293
Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-100, 3-157, 4-293
Bowling: Mithun 14-1-52-0, Pandey 15-2-56-1, Patel 24-8-52-2, Yadav 24-2-88-1, Shankar 10-3-29-0, Nair 1-0-9-0.
