SA A wrap up eight-wicket win over Australia A

Half-centuries from Tom Cooper and Matthew Wade were in vain as Australia A were handed an eight-wicket defeat by South Africa A in the first four-day game in Townsville.

Although Cooper and Wade ground out half-centuries in an effort to save the game, the South Africa A bowlers kept chipping away at a line-up that was missing captain Moises Henriques, who was absent hurt.

Beginning the day at 2 for 113, Australia A needed another 180 runs to catch up with the first-innings deficit and avoid an innings defeat. Cooper and Callum Ferguson, who had shared a 62-run stand on the third evening, stretched their third-wicket partnership to 95 but both batsmen fell within 10 overs. Wade and Phil Nevill then began another rebuilding effort, with an 80-run partnership, but once Nevill was dismissed, South Africa A's bowlers wrapped up the innings quickly. By the time Australia A established a lead, they were already six wickets down and the innings ended soon after, as the side lost its last five wickets for 55 runs. Simon Harmer picked up three wickets, while Marchant de Lange and Kagiso Rabada took two apiece.

Facing a target of 18 runs, South Africa A lost openers Reeza Hendricks and David White off successive balls, but Rilee Rossouw, who set up the match for South Africa A with 231 in the first innings, ensured the side achieved the target within four overs.

The second four-day game between the two sides will begin in Townsville on August 14.