SA ‘A’ restricted to modest total

Cape Town - Axar Patel headed a fine fightback by the India 'A' team's trio of spin bowlers to restrict South Africa ‘A’ to a disappointing 260 all out at stumps on the opening day of the decisive second unofficial four-day Test match at Krishnagiri Stadium in Wayanad on Tuesday.

The South Africans, who won the toss and chose to bat, had made a strong start when Reeza Hendricks and Stiaan van Zyl put on 58 for the first wicket.

Van Zyl and Gihahn Cloete compiled a further 49 for the second wicket and Van Zyl and Omphile Ramela 78 for the third to reach 185/3 in 59 overs.

But Patel and his partners then sparked a calamitous collapse which saw the last seven wickets fall for only 75 runs.

Van Zyl stood alone with his innings of 96 off 193 balls (13 fours and a six) with extras making the next highest contribution of 33.

Patel finished with figures of 5/92 - the fourth five-wicket haul of his first-class career - while off spinner Jayant Yadav took 3/53 and leg spinner Karn Sharma 2/36.