Tiwary, Pandey star in big win over South Africa 'A'

Manoj Tiwary and Manish Pandey missed out on the three-figure mark, but their contrasting knocks were enough to guide India 'A' to a comprehensive 70-run victory over South Africa 'A' in the second match of the quadrangular series, in Darwin, on Tuesday.

Tiwary blazed his way to a 73-ball 93 while Pandey scored 91 off 108 balls as India 'A' amassed 326 for 7 in 50 overs.

In reply, medium fast bowler Dhawal Kulkarni ran through the middle-order, claiming five for 54, as the Proteas were dismissed for 256 in 47.1 overs.

Tiwary and Pandey added 124 runs for the third wicket to lay the foundation for the huge total. The Bengal batsman faced 73 balls, hitting nine fours and a six, while Pandey dropped anchor during his 108-ball innings that was studded with seven fours and a six.

It was left to Ambati Rayudu (32 off 20) and Sanju Samson (24 off 13 balls) to take the score past the 325-run mark.

Earlier, opting to bat, skipper Robin Uthappa (2) departed early, offering a catch to Vaughn van Jaarsveld off the bowling of right-arm seamer Kagiso Rabada.

Former India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand (47) then joined forces with Pandey but the duo failed to score at a quick clip during their 84-run second-wicket partnership.

Chand hit three fours and two sixes in his 62-ball innings before perishing to a rank bad shot, caught by Rilee Russouw in the deep and giving off-break bowler Simon Harmer his only wicket.

While South Africa scored 54 runs for the opening stand, they were never in the match as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

Kulkarni bowled to a good channel as he got movement off the pitch.

Off-spinner Parveez Rasool (2-48) was instrumental in providing the initial breakthrough.

Reeza Hendricks (52) was the top scorer for the South Africans.

Brief scores:

India 'A': 326-7 (Manoj Tiwary 93, Manish Pandey 91, Ambati Rayudu 32).

South Africa 'A': 256 in 47.1 overs (Reeza Hendricks 52, Dhawal Kulkarni 5-54, Parveez Rasool 2-48).

India 'A' won by 70 runs.

Image: Manish Pandey

Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images