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Marvellous Miller helps SA A defeat the NPS

The stand-in skipper was in ominous touch, guiding the Proteas home with a rapid century

A David Miller century has powered South Africa A home by five wickets against the National Performance Squad, handing the tourists just their second victory of the series.

Miller, who was the stand-in captain in the absence of Heino Kuhn, played a superb skipper's knock, helping South Africa A comfortably chase down the 288 with 21 balls to spare.

The left-hander finished unbeaten on 124 off just 104 balls and seemed a batsman possessed, pouncing on anything over-pitched to give the Harrup Park pavilion some cause for concern.

Miller's majestic Mackay century

Miller, who earned the Player of the Match award, had a slice of luck when he was bowled on 31 by NPS captain Matthew Short but umpire John Ward signalled a no-ball for overstepping, with the Protea batsman dispatching the ensuing free hit for six.

The 27-year-old went from strength-to-strength after the reprieve, combining with Qaasim Adams (44) and Dane Vilas (45 not out) for two vital stands in the middle and late overs.

Earlier in the day, Sam Heazlett repeated the free-flowing feats of the last encounter between these two sides, top scoring for the home side with a balanced 73 from 63 balls, in tandem with Caleb Jewell (63).

Slammin' Sam hits the heights

Queenslander Matthew Renshaw (14) set the pace early with some powerful stroke-play before Heazlett took up the cause, combining with Jewell for a 115-run stand.

Jewell sparkles with classy knock

South Africa A spin bowler Tabraiz Shamsi was the main contributor with the ball for the tourists, claiming 2-68 and raising the ire of the crowd with an overzealous appeal for leg-before that was ultimately turned down.

Shamsi puts everything into an appeal

South Africa A and the NPS were both unable to make Sunday’s final despite a win, with these two squads to meet again for a third-place playoff on Saturday at Harrup Park.

FIXTURES:

Saturday, September 3 - South Africa A v National Performance Squad (3v4)

Sunday, September 4 - Australia A v India A (1v2)

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