The South Africa batsmen yet again failed to solve the Indian spin trick as they succumbed to a huge defeat in the opening match of the Under-19 Quadrangular series against India-A at the Sports Hub here on Tuesday.
The bag of tricks from off-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (three for 27) and left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey (three for seven) completely flummoxed the South African batters as the side was bundled out for 94 while chasing 252 for victory.
Only Marco Jansen (33 not out) and captain Colin Montgomery (10) managed to reach double figures. However, it was medium-pacer Akash Singh who started the slide by removing both the openers cheaply. Then Ravi Bishnoi, in his opening spell, broke the back of the South African batting by claiming three quick wickets as visitors slipped to 44 for five.
Bishnoi first tempted Bryce Parson (seven) to give a return catch and then trapped both Mathew Montgomery (10) and Andile Mokgakane (five) in front. Dubey then switched ends and didn’t allow the tail to prosper. In between the collapse, Jansen struck a few meaty blows.
Earlier, left-arm medium-pacer Marco Jansen’s second spell (3-0-16-4) was instrumental in restricting India-A to 251.
After winning the toss, the host was off the blocks pretty quickly with openers Qamran Iqbal and Yashasvi Jaiswal adding 59.
Qamran (60), who completed his 50 with successive sixes off Lifa Ntanzi, perished trying to force the pace. But Shashwat Rawat (64), who played the big shots judiciously, and Dhruv Jurei (38) added 62 for the fifth wicket to set the platform for a big score.
However, Jansen’s return signalled the quick end of the Indian innings as he scythed through the lower order.
The scores:
India-A 251 in 50 overs (Shashwat Rawat 64, Qamran Iqbal 60, Dhru Jurei 38, Marco Jansen four for 30) bt South Africa 94 in 35.4 overs (Marco Jansen 33 n.o., Harsh Dubey three for seven, Ravi Bishnoi three for 27).