Centuries by captain Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder helped South Africa A dominate the third day of the second and final four-day Test against India A in Mysore on Thursday.
The pair shared in a 155-run sixth-wicket stand as the tourists responded to the hosts’ 414 with 400 all out at the Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground. The home side then survived six overs late on to reach stumps on 14/0 – a lead of 31.
However, it was all about Markram and Mulder on the penultimate day when the South Africans were finally dominant for almost a full day.
They were led impressively by their star pair, with the skipper going on to take a commanding 161 (253 balls, 20 fours, two sixes).
Markram is one of seven players in the XI that are in the Proteas Test squad to face India next month and his return to form will be a massive injection of confidence to the visiting team.
The right-hander started the day alongside all-rounder Mulder, who went on to score a brilliant unbeaten 131 (230 balls, 17 fours, one six), with their side in trouble on 159/5.
They were together for nearly 50 overs, before Markram departed with the score on 297 when he fell to Mohammed Siraj (2/72).
But Mulder then found able support in fellow all-rounder Vernon Philander (21) – the pair adding 59 for the next wicket as SA A progressed to 356/6.
However, Kuldeep Yadav (4/121) and Shahbaz Nadeem (3/72) then ran through the tail quickly leaving the tourists slightly in arrears.
Priyank Panchal (9) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (5) then managed to get through to the close with India slightly ahead.
The home side are 1-0 ahead in the two-game series after winning the first match by seven wickets last week.
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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