Skipper Matthew Wade led from the front with a sparkling century as Australia A cruised to a 108-run win over South Africa A to maintain their clean slate in the tri series cricket tournament, in Chennai on Wednesday.
Batting first after winning the toss at the M A Chidambaram Stadium, Australia ‘A’ were all out for 272 in 47.2 overs.
In reply, the South African A team was bowled out for 164 in only 37.1 overs, with Cameron Boyce (3/48) and Ashton Agar (3/41) picking up three wickets apiece. They were ably supported by pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile, who finished with economical figures of 2/8 from seven overs, as Australia A recorded yet another big win.
The Aussies have not lost a match en route to the title clash, slated for Friday.
Wade smashed his way to 130 off barely 106 balls to lay their foundation for the Australians. The wicketkeeper-batsman was well supported by Peter Handscomb, who made 62-ball 52.
Wade was involved in three fifty partnerships with Joe Burns (11), Chris Lynn (29) and Handscomb during his stay in the middle.
Sean Abbott made a 24-ball 23 with the help of two fours.
During his stay at the crease, Wade struck nine fours and seven sixes, while Handscomb hit three boundaries.
For the South Africans, captain Dean Elgar was the top-scorer with an 85-ball 64, hitting six boundaries in the process. Khaya Zondo made 47 off 50 deliveries.
Left-arm pacer Lonwabo Tsotsobe was the most successful bowler among the Proteas, returning figures of 3/50 in nine overs.
Wade said after the win, “Good to win four out of four but it all comes down to the final on Friday and we’ll be up for that, ready to go.
“In any one-day game you want to be batting 50 overs, so myself, should probably have batted a little deeper there, Peter Handscomb through to 50 overs.”
Six senior team members to play tri-series final
The six players of the current Australia ‘A’ squad, who have been selected in the senior national ODI team for the limited overs matches in England and Ireland, will play in the final of the ongoing tri-series cricket tournament slated to be held here on August 14.
Opener Joe Burns, wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, spinner Aston Agar, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and pace duo of James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile have been picked in the senior team for the ODI series against England and Ireland starting later this month by virtue of their fine performances in the ongoing Australia ‘A’ team’s tour of India.
Australia’s limited overs series starts with a one-off ODI against Ireland in Belfast on August 27 followed by a lone Twenty20 International and five ODIs against England.
According Australia ‘A’ team officials, it has not been decided as yet whether the six players would leave Chennai directly for England or return to their respective homes in Australia before joining the senior team in England.
