Big win for India ‘A’

Spinners Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra spelt doom for South Africa ‘A’ and scripted a huge victory by an innings and 242 runs for India ‘A’ in the first four-day Test at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here on Saturday.

Seventeen wickets tumbled on the third day and brought an early end to the proceedings as Ojha and Mishra finished with eight and five wickets, respectively, in the match.

Resuming the day at 93 for two in reply to the imposing 588 for eight declared posted by the host, South Africa ‘A’ crashed to 145 in the first innings. Following on, the visiting team fared marginally better due to an unbeaten 63 by wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile in the second innings and folded at 201.

Left-arm spinner Ojha, the 21-year-old who took 29 wickets for Hyderabad in the last Ranji Trophy season, stuck to a disciplined line and length to reap the harvest against a circumspect South African line-up.

From the other end, leg-spinner Amit Mishra, kept up the pressure by tossing up the ball more, much to the discomfort of the visiting batsmen.

Scores:
India ‘A’ — 1st innings: 588 for four decl.
South Africa ‘A’ — 1st innings: 145 for All Out
South Africa ‘A’ — 2nd innings: 201 for All Out