India A vs South Africa A: Stephen Cook hits ton; Siraj, Shahbaz claim two wickets each

Stephen Cook and David Miller give South Africa A a strong start before India strike with pace and spin towards the end of first day’s play in the unofficial Test in Pretoria.

Discarded Proteas opener Stephen Cook struck 120 to carry South Africa A to 274/4 against India A at stumps on the first day of their unofficial four-day Test at the Assupol Tuks Oval in Pretroria on Saturday.

David Miller provided a good start to South Africa A in their match against India A. (REUTERS)

Cook, who was left out of South Africa’s Test series in England, shared in a 138-run third-wicket partnership with David Miller, who scored a 115-run 78 with 10 fours.

Cook faced 252 balls and hit eight fours to guide the innings after the hosts won the toss and elected to bat. He put on a 57-run opening partnership with skipper Aiden Markram (22) and added 73 runs with Rudi Second (32).

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India A kept up their fight with pace and spin. Mohammed Siraj, the 23-year-old pacer, and left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem claimed two wickets each. Siraj had Miller caught and bowled late in the day before Nadeem removed Cook to bring India A back into the frame.

India A, coached by Rahul Dravid, won the Tri-series, defeating South Africa A by seven wickets in the final on August 8.

The second unofficial Test will be played from August 19.