Stephen Cook headlines fruitful day for South Africa A

Cook stitches an opening partnership of 167 runs with Aiden Markram on Day One of the second unofficial ‘Test’ against India A.

Stephen Cook fell to Shahbaz Nadeem for 98.

Late strikes from spinners Shahbaz Nadeem and Krishnappa Gowtham balanced the scales in India’s favour as South Africa ended the first day of the second unofficial ‘Test’ on 258 for 5.

Nadeem (2 for 101 in 32 overs) and Gowtham (2 for 67 in 29 overs) shared the spoils after a 167-run opening partnership between Stephen Cook (98) and skipper Aiden Markram (74). Cook playing a patient knock, hitting nine boundaries and a six off 205 balls while Markram faced 145 balls, hitting six fours and a six.

Markram was finally caught by substitute Hanuma Vihari off Gowtham. South Africa was 175 for 2 when Cook was caught out by Sudeep Chatterjee off Nadeem. David Miller (13) was cleaned up by Gowtham while Jason Smith (4) was trapped leg-before-wicket by Navdeep Saini.

South Africa A was reduced to 207 for 5 when Heinrich Klassen (7) was bowled by Nadeem.

Brief Scores: South Africa A 258 for 5 (Stephen Cook 98, Aiden Markram 74, Shahbaz Nadeem 2 for 101, Krishnappa Gowtham 2 for 67) versus India A.