An unbeaten century by captain Neil Brand ensured South Africa A (SA ‘A’) held a slight advantage after the opening day of the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A (SL ‘A’) at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Sunday (15/9).

The left-hander carried his bat for 122 (243 balls, 11 fours, 1 six) to ensure his side was in a solid position in the series finale, reaching the close on 316 for seven. The match is a must-win encounter for the hosts after they lost the opening match by six wickets in Kimberley.

Apart from Brand, there were also starts for Tshepang Dithole (27), Marques Ackerman (37), Dewald Brevis (49) and Beyers Swanepoel (34) after the home side lost the toss and were asked to bat first. The skipper, alongside Dithole, put on 41 for the opening wicket, before the South Africans lost the latter and Jean du Plessis (0) within the space of a run.

Watch the second four-day match between South Africa A and Sri Lanka A in Benoni. https://t.co/Lo9cW0m8fd

— SA Cricket magazine (@SACricketmag) September 15, 2024

Ackerman then joined Brand for a third-wicket stand of 62, followed by the biggest partnership of the innings between Brevis and his captain that yielded 98 for the fourth wicket. The home side may feel they then surrendered some of the initiative after slipping from 202 for three in the 53rd over to their eventual end of play score.

The other men to fall were Mihlali Mpongwana (12), Rivaldo Moonsamy (11) and Swanepoel, leaving Migael Pretorius (9*) keeping Brand company at the close.

Sri Lanka’s best bowler on the day was slow left-armer Sonal Dinusha, who bagged three for 48.