South Africa 'A' take honours as hosts collapse to 95 all out

West Indies 'A' collapsed spectacularly on the first day of their four day match against South Africa 'A' at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground at Bourda yesterday. After losing the toss, the hosts were put in to bat and struggled against a four pronged South African mediumpace attack.

Although West Indies 'A' started sedately, with openers Azeemul Haniff and Devon Smith adding 23 before the former was dismissed by promising mediumpacer Mfuenko Ngam. After the fall of the first wicket, South Africa put the squeeze on. West Indies 'A' showing a remarkable lack of application lost wickets at regular intervals and were soon reduced to 62/6. With the top order gone cheaply, there was very little chance of a recovery. Mfuenko Ngam, left arm seamer Charl Willoughby and Charl Langeveldt scalped three wickets apiece as West Indies 'A' were dismissed for a dismal 95.

In response, the South Africa 'A' openers Mark Bruyns and Doug Watson showed that the pitch held no terrors as they motored along to 80 before the latter was trapped in front of the stumps by legspinner Dinanath Ramnarine. Graham Smith came in at the fall of the first wicket and saw South Africa 'A' through to stumps without the loss of further wickets. Bruyns was unbeaten on exactly 50 and South Africa 'A' had already notched up 109 for the loss of just one wicket. At the end of the first day they are comfortably placed, with a lead of 14 runs and 9 first innings wickets still intact.