Elgar leads the way on first day of Australia warm-up
A century by captain Dean Elgar helped the Proteas make a positive start to their tour to Australia.
Elgar put in a strong performance on the opening day of their only warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane on Friday.
After winning the toss and batting at The Allan Border Field, the South Africans reached the close on 335 for seven with the skipper leading from the front with his 109.
There was also an attacking unbeaten half-century from Kyle Verreynne, who struck a free-flowing 76 off 86 balls.
There were starts from several other batters too, with 25 coming from the bat of Sarel Erwee, 27 by the fit again Rassie van der Dussen and 34 through Keshav Maharaj – the tourists ensuring they enjoyed a productive opening to the three-match Test tour in Queensland.
The match is not classified as a first-class game allowing for the Proteas management to give everyone in the squad a chance to play. Khaya Zondo (18), Theunis de Bruyn (13), Simon Harmer (5) and Kagiso Rabada (2*) were amongst the others to bat on day one.
Temba Bavuma, however, did not bat as a precaution due to discomfort felt in his left elbow. However, South Africa’s limited-overs captain is expected to bat in the second innings of the four-day encounter.
The first Test of the series is scheduled to take place at The Gabba from 17-21 December.
