Openers lead strong SA Emerging reply with centuries

Zimbabwe Emerging – 399 all out in 119.1 overs (Antum Naqvi 130, Takudzwanashe Kaitano 90, Nick Welch 46; Andile Mokgakane 4/57, Dian Forrester 2/57, Andile Simelane 2/65)

South Africa Emerging – 267-2 in 59 overs (Lesego Senokwane 121*, Modiri Litheko 105, Valentine Kitime 18; Antum Naqvi 2/50)

Day 2 – Stumps: South Africa Emerging trail by 132 runs

The South Africa Emerging team made a strong reply to the Zimbabwe Emerging side’s first-innings score of 399 all out at Queens Sports Club on Thursday, with their opening batters both scoring centuries as they finished the day with a score of 267 for two wickets.

The home side began the day on 308 for six wickets, with Antum Naqvi on 130 and Brandon Mavuta on six.

Unfortunately, Naqvi was out without adding to his score, but the later batters all made useful runs.

Particularly commendable was the last-wicket partnership of 52 between Arineshto Vhezha, who made 20 not out, and Tapiwa Mufudza, who played a fine innings of 36 before he was out with only a single needed to reach 400.

Andile Mokgakane was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 56.

The South Africans opened their batting with Modiri Litheko and Lesego Senokwane, and they were soon both scoring freely in partnership.

Runs came at well over four an over and the score reached 192 before Litheko, the more aggressive of the two, was finally lbw to Naqvi for 105 – he made his runs off only 121 balls and hit a six and 11 fours. Naqvi also took a return catch from Valentine Kitime, who made 18, but before the close Senokwane had completed his own century, to finish the day with 127 not out, while Dian Forrester had 17.