Even as Saurabh and du Plessis get honors
The first unofficial Test began in Bloemfontein with South Africa A posting a formidable 298/5. Vidhwath Kaverappa struck in his first over to dismiss Cameron Shekleton for a duck for India A. Despite batting out 86 deliveries, Yaseen Valli only made 16 before being castled by Saurabh Kumar. After that, however, India A struggled to seize control of the encounter as Rubin Hermann and Jean du Plessis kept the visitors at bay.
Hermann was the more aggressive of the two, consistently striking boundaries. He contributed 84 for the third wicket before Saurabh provided India with a crucial breakthrough as Hermann fell five short of his century. Du Plessis persisted, stitching half-century stands with the middle order hitters. Bryce Parsons added 59 for the fourth wicket, and Connor Esterhuizen surprised India with his aggressive attitude, hammering a couple of sixes and six fours. At the other end, du Plessis completed his century before India finished the day on a high with the wicket of Esterhuizen.
South Africa A 298/5 (Jean du Plessis 103*, Rubin Hermann 95; Saurabh Kumar 3/83) defeated India A
Day 1 of the first unofficial test, December 11
