South Africa A start well in 3-day match against Australia A

The South African A side seems to be in a promising position in the opening day of the first 3-day match against Australia A at the Adelaide Oval when they bowled out Australia A for 263 in 71.2 overs.

SA A skipper Gerald Dros chose to field after winning the toss and quick bowler Dewald Pretorius and left-arm spinner Nicky Boje responded positively.

Australia A batsmen Chris Rogers and Michael Hussey combined for 45 runs before Pretorius struck to remove Rogers for 24. But Andrew Symonds and Brad Hodge took the initiative to steer their team to 142 for 4 at lunch. Symonds was unbeaten on 58. However, he lost his wicket to Boje when he was brilliantly taken by Quinton Friend in the deep for 78 off 79 balls. Ryan Campbell and Nathan Hauritz fought gallantly with a 58-run eighth wikcet stand to see their side reach 259 for 7 at tea. Campbell, who was on 47, failed to add any runs after the break and Australia A were finally dismissed for 263.

Pretorius finished with 4 for 65 in 19 overs and Boje continued his rich vein of form on the tour with an impressive 4 for 55 in 23.2 overs. And fast bowler Friend, though somewhat expensive, took 2 for 72 in 13 overs.

The tourists were cautious in their reply, having scored 66 for no loss in the 29th over of their innings at the close. Ahmed Amla closed the day on 38 and Adam Bacher on 20. South Africa A trail by 197 runs going into the second day.