South Africa A ease past NP squad

Theunis de Bruyn has starred in the third place playoff to see South Africa defeat the National Performance by nine wickets.

De Bruyn compiled 90 from 119 balls and took 2-37 in a player-of-the-match performance in his side’s final match in Australia.

The top-order batsman was chanceless with the bat, opening the batting in place of the injured Khaya Zondo and seeing the innings through to the end.

David Miller was once again in fine form, driving and pulling his way to 70 not out from 71 deliveries, after scoring a tournament-high 125 against the National Performance Squad just four days prior.

South Africa A captain Heino Kuhn also added 37 after returning from an earlier bout of concussion, adding 74 for the first wicket with de Bruyn.

Earlier, de Bruyn captured the vital wickets of Sam Harper (60) - who compiled his second-straight half-century – and Arjun Nair (4).

NPS captain Matthew Short was also pivotal to the eventual 9-207, with his patient 70 from 98 ensuring his side had a total to defend.

But the most telling tale was that of Sam Heazlett, who currently sits behind only India A captain Manish Pandey on the runs scorers list this series – and a quadriceps injury that ended his day.

Heazlett hobbled off the field in the arms of the trainers forlorn after racing to 35, knowing all-too-well his day was prematurely finished.

South Africa A’s third victory ensured they kept third place on the table, with India A and Australia A to play off on Sunday for the series title.

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