India 'A' bowlers let hosts off the hook

India A bowlers ripped through South Africa A top order before letting the home side escape with a respectable 231 for six on the opening day of the second unofficial Test in Pretoria today.

India A bowlers ripped through South Africa A top order before letting the home side escape with a respectable 231 for six on the opening day of the second unofficial Test here today.

Impressive spells by all-rounder Parvez Rasool and pacer Ishwar Pandey saw the South Africans being reduced to a precarious 128 for six at tea before lower order batsmen Wayne Parnell and Simon Harmer rescued the home side with a fine 134-run stand for the unbroken seventh wicket.

At the draw of stumps, Parnell and Harmer were going strong on 64 not out and 68 not out respectively. Parnell has so far hit eight fours in his ball 172-ball unconquered innings while Harmer had smashed nine fours and a six in his 115-ball unbeaten knock.

The Indians seemed to have put their feet off the pedal in the last session which yielded 103 runs without any wicket as the South Africans posted a decent score on the opening day.