Ten South Africa 'A' players hospitalised

The South Africa ‘A’ squad currently touring in Chennai has been ravaged by food poisoning with 10 players hospitalised before, during and after their one-day clash against India A today.

The extraordinary circumstances have forced a change to the tri-series schedule that will now see Australia A take on the home side tomorrow, followed by a match-up with the South Africans on Tuesday.

Full scorecard: South Africa A v India A

With half of the squad falling ill overnight, and more going down during the match, South Africa A were forced to use their video analyst Henrikus Coertzen in the field, as well as India A’s Mandeep Singh.

Reeza Hendricks, Khaya Zondo and Mthokozisi Shezi took their place in the XI despite being among those to feel ill, however, they all had to be taken to hospital during the course of the match.

The hosts collected a bonus point in a comprehensive eight-wicket win with 12 overs to spare, despite a sparkling century from opening batsman Quinton de Kock.

The 22-year-old had been in the country for less than 24 hours before Dean Elgar won the toss and elected to bat.

South Africa A ended up posting a target of 245 from their 50 overs at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium with wicketkeeper-batsman Dane Vilas’ knock of 50 from 50 balls the only meaningful support for de Kock (108 off 124).

Allrounder Rishi Dhawan was the pick of the bowlers for India A to finish with figures of 4-49 from his 10 overs.

Mayank Agarwal (130 off 122) and Unmukt Chand (90 off 94) made light work of the run chase as they compiled an opening stand of 219 in less than 35 overs against a depleted South African bowling attack.

In further bad news for the tourists, de Kock was also forced to hospital after the match.

It was India A’s first victory in the tri-series after they suffered an emphatic 119-run defeat to the Australians on Friday.

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