SA ‘A’ clinch West Indies A tour

Dane Paterson picked up three wickets late in the day to secure South Africa A (SA ‘A’) a 76-run win over West Indies A on the last day of the third four-day match at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Friday.

The result sealed the tour 2-1 as the hosts came from behind after losing the opening fixture in Benoni.

Paterson (4/66) - with a combined tally of eight wickets in the match - was ably supported by allrounder Ruan de Swardt (2/45) in pursuit of victory.

The visitors put up a fight on the final day, with Joshua da Silva playing a captain’s knock of 110 off 138 balls (8 fours and 2 sixes). Kirk McKenzie also struck a 94-ball 81.

Having resumed on 47/1 and another 374 runs required, McKenzie and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (31) got stuck into the task at hand with a second-wicket partnership of 112 runs before the pair departed in the space of six balls – Duanne Olivier (1/86) and de Swardt working in tandem to remove the overnight duo.

Four overs later, Hardus Viljoen (1/74) added one to his wickets column with Jordan Johnson (9) caught behind.

That brought Da Silva to the crease, and together with Kavem Hodge (47), the pair put on a significant 84-run stand before de Swardt’s first over after lunch brought the breakthrough. Neil Brand claimed a sharp catch at extra cover to see the back of the latter.

The hosts had to wait until after tea to get their next wicket, as Kevin Sinclair (23) attempted to go after Brand (1/32) but instead heaved the ball straight to Khaya Zondo at mid-wicket.

With the score 291/6 and 130 runs still required, Paterson struck twice in as many overs.

First, he wrapped Akeem Jordan (13) on the pads leg before wicket. Zubayr Hamza then held on at second slip to dismiss Shamar Joseph for nought.

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