Harmer stars in comprehensive South Africa A win

South Africa A 356 (Rossouw 115*, Elgar 83, Ahmed 4-80) and 71 for 3 (van Zyl 23, Maddinson 2-22) beat Australia A 146 (Maddinson 88, Hendricks 5-52) and 277 (Maddinson 90, Doolan 48, Harmer 8-87) by seven wickets
Scorecard

Offspinner Simon Harmer produced the best bowling figures for South Africa A to guide them to a comprehensive seven-wicket win, and 1-0 series win, against Australia A in the second unofficial Test in Rustenberg.

Harmer ended the innings with 8 for 87, and in the process, bettered the previous record held by medium pacer Alan Dawson who took 6 for 44 against Sri Lanka A in 1998/99.

Australia A began the day at a steady 112 for 2, but the hosts seized back the initiative as Harmer, the Man of the Match, dismissed Alex Doolan, Tim Paine and Glen Maxwell in the first session.

Nic Maddinson, much akin to his one-man show in the first innings, once again stood out for Australia A with a fighting 90. He struck 12 fours, but with wickets falling regularly at the other end, Australia A failed to build any substantial partnership and were subsequently bowled out for 277. Apart from Chadd Sayers' run-out, Harmer picked up all the other wickets that Australia A lost on the third day.

Chasing a modest 68, South Africa A completed the victory in just over 15 overs, but after losing their top three batsmen. Haroon Lorgat, the newly-appointed CSA chief, commended the team on the result. "This is a highly encouraging result against opponents who are always tough to beat," he said, "and an encouraging acknowledgement of the depth we have in multi-day cricket.

"This was a classic display from our point of view in that our seamers bowled the Australians out in less than 40 overs after losing the toss and then our specialist spinner, Simon Harmer, took an outstanding 8/87 in the second. This incidentally is one of the best ever bowling performances at this level.

"From a batting point of view it was highly encouraging to see three of our batsmen - Dean Elgar, Thami Tsolekile and Rilee Rossouw - all make big centuries during the series.

"Coach Vinnie Barnes and captain Justin Ontong and the rest of the squad are to be congratulated on their outstanding performance. We now look forward to next week's triangular limited overs series that also features a very strong India A side."

The triangular ODI series between the three teams starts on August 6.