South Africa 489 (Elgar 117, du Plessis 102, de Kock 99) v South Australia XI
Scorecard
Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis put on 179 runs for the fourth wicket © Getty Images
South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis warmed up for the Test series with a century against a South Australia XI in Glenelg on Thursday in his side’s final hit-out ahead of next week’s first Test against Australia in Perth. Like his captain, Dean Elgar also retired soon after reaching triple-figures, while Quinton de Kock narrowly missed the chance for his second ton on tour, falling for 99.
With South Australia playing a Sheffield Shield game at the WACA at the same time, South Africa’s opposition was effectively a state second XI, but that didn’t stop the top order having a couple of early wobbles. Fast bowler David Grant, who is yet to make his first-class debut, had Stephen Cook caught behind in the second over for a duck, and Hashim Amla caught behind for 9.
Amla had retired on 51 in South Africa’s first tour match of this trip, against a Cricket Australia XI, but Cook’s form might be a slight concern for the South Africans. He made 5 and 12 against the CA XI and will be hoping the South African bowlers skittle the South Australia side on the second day of this two-day fixture to give him another opportunity at the crease.
Rilee Rossouw fell for 22 to Cameron Valente before du Plessis and Elgar combined for a 179-run partnership that ended only when du Plessis reached his hundred and promptly retired on 102. Elgar also enjoyed his time in the middle, moving on to 117 before he retired to give the rest of the batting order an opportunity.
Temba Bavuma scored 43, Vernon Philander retired on 41, and for the second time on the tour de Kock appeared to find batting easy, flying to 99 from 94 deliveries before he was caught at mid-on off the offspin of Michael Cormack.
The South Africans piled on 489 before they were dismissed in the 90th over of the day.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo