NPS young guns stun South Africa A

Australia's National Performance Squad (NPS) have held their nerve to defeat South Africa A by 17 runs in a thrilling opening to the Quadrangular 'A' Series in Townsville. 

Queensland batsman Sam Heazlett proved the difference between the sides and the South Africans were rendered powerless as the 20-year-old plundered 101 from just 87 balls in a man-of-the-match performance that helped the NPS to 8-243.

The 19-year-old David Grant, who has secured a West End Redbacks rookie contract for the coming season, took 4-31 as South Africa's second tier were bowled out for 226. 

The development side's captain Sean Abbott said his side would "shake up the other teams" and put their words were put into action on day one, defeating their much more experienced opponents by 17 runs with just eight balls remaining.

Scores - National Performance Squad v South Africa A

The NPS batted around their rampaging middle-order batsman, with Caleb Jewell (20) and Hilton Cartwright (20) getting off to the perfect start against the likes of Dane Paterson (1-44) and Dwaine Pretorious (0-23), with the pitch offering little additional assistance despite captain Heino Kuhn opting to bowl first.

Kuhn had no answers for Heazlett, who found the boundary ten times and went over it twice, to achieve the rare double of scoring a century on both First Class and List A debuts, after scoring 129 in his Shield debut against Tasmania in December.

New South Wales spin bowler Arjun Nair provided a perfect foil to Heazlett, scoring 40 from 54 balls and staying with the big-hitting Queenslander for a 91-run stand for the sixth wicket, helping the score to 8-243.

Western Australia quick David Moody struck in the first over of South Africa's chase, removing the dangerous Reeza Hendricks trapped in front off a full toss, with Sam Harper ensuring Theunis de Bruyn (13) was back in the sheds with a direct hit run out from close range.

Wickets fell quickly in the middle order, and despite a 99-run partnership between Qaasim Adams (78) and Sisanda Magala (35), the touring side's effort were not enough to stop an upset win at the hands of the National Performance Squad.

Winter quadrangular series details

Australia A one-day squad: Chris Lynn (c), Peter Handscomb (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Boyce, Glenn Maxwell, Joe Mennie, Kurtis Patterson, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, Marcus Stoinis, Chris Tremain, Sam Whiteman, Dan Worrall.

National Performance Squad: Sean Abbott (c, NSW), Hilton Cartwright (WA), Kyle Gardiner (WA), David Grant (SA), Sam Grimwade (Vic), Sam Harper (Vic), Sam Heazlett (Qld), Clint Hinchliffe (WA), Josh Inglis (WA), Caleb Jewell (Tas), David Moody (WA), Arjun Nair (NSW), Tom O'Donnell (Vic), Matthew Renshaw (Qld), Matthew Short (Vic), Mitchell Swepson (Qld).

South Africa A one-day squad: Wayne Parnell (c), Qaasim Adams, Marchant de Lange, Reeza Hendricks, Heino Kuhn, Eddie Leie, Sisanda Magala, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Rilee Rossouw, Malusi Siboto, Khaya Zondo, David Miller, Dane Vilas 

India A squad: Naman Ojha (capt), Faiz Fazal, Akhil Herwadkar, Shreyas Iyer, Karun Nair, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Varun Aaron, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Barinder Sran, Shahbaz Nadeem, Sanju Samson.

Results

13 August, NPS 8-243 def South Africa A 226 by 17 runs

Fixtures

14 August, Australia A v India A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
16 August, Australia A v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
17 August, South Africa A v India A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
20 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
21 August, India A v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
24 August, NPS v Australia A, Harrup Park, Mackay
25 August, South Africa A v India A, Harrup Park, Mackay
27 August, NPS v India A, Harrup Park, Mackay
28 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Harrup Park, Mackay
30 August, Australia A v India A, Harrup Park, Mackay
31 August, South Africa A v NPS, Harrup Park, Mackay
3 September; Final 3 v 4, Harrup Park, Mackay
4 September, Final 1 v 2, Harrup Park, Mackay

Tickets

Available at the gate (open from 8.55am). $10 Adult / $5 Concession / Children FREE.

Session Times

All times local. Toss: 9am. First innings: 9.30am - 1pm. Lunch 1pm - 1.45pm. Second innings 1.45pm - 5.15pm.