Solid Elgar, aggressive Verreynne set the tone for South Africa
The captain hit a century before the keeper hit out on day one of South Africa's warm-up against a Cricket Australia XI
AAP
09-Dec-2022
Dean Elgar scored 109 on day one of the tour match against Cricket Australia XI • Getty Images
South Africans 335 for 7 (Elgar 109, Verreynne 76*, Kuhnemann 4-78) vs Cricket Australia XI
South Africa captain Dean Elgar made a trademark century but it was the form of wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne that will most please the tourists on day one of the four-day clash with a Cricket Australia XI.
Left-hander Elgar is South Africa's best and most experienced batter and he reinforced those credentials at Allan Border Field.
Verreynne, batting at No. 6, made an unbeaten counterattacking 76 off 86 balls with his vicious pulls and cut shots a highlight.
Middle-order batter Temba Bavuma won't bat in the first innings due to an elbow complaint but Elgar said he hoped he would in the second innings.
"It was nice to get a good knock," Elgar said of his own innings. "Personally I have been in good form back home as well and I'd like to think I think I am match fit and match ready which is a nice thing coming into a really important series. It was nice to see some other batters put their hands up as well."
South Africa's batting had a fragility about it on the recent Test tour of England. Their pace attack is world class but it will be scoring runs for the bowlers to defend that will be the key against Australia in the three-Test series which begins on December 17 at the Gabba.
Sarel Erwee (25), Rassie van der Dussen (27) and Khaya Zonda (18) all made starts but it was Verreynne who showed the aggression and confidence that will be vital against Australia's pace attack.
He made his maiden Test century against New Zealand in Christchurch earlier this year and looks a player of class.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Matthew Kuhnemann was the pick of the bowlers and did not get discouraged when the batters went after him. He made his ODI debut for Australia this year and enjoyed bowling on his home track.
Elgar was strong on the leg side and played one glorious swivel pull shot for four off Jordan Buckingham to stamp his class. His driving on the off side was also of the highest quality.
He went to tea unbeaten on 99 and brought up his century with the first ball after the break before being bowled by Chris Tremain.
Verreynne and Keshav Maharaj (34) then added 89 at better than a run-a-ball for the sixth wicket.
