Change in A-team tri-series schedule as half of South Africa A hospitalized
In the on-going A-team tri-series in Chennai, ten out of 16 players in the South Africa A squad have been hospitalized, leading to rescheduling of their match against Australia A to Tuesday. Iniitially, the match was scheduled to start on Monday but a press release from Cricket South Africa stated that the team had been "ravaged by food poisoning." This unforseen event has resulted in India A stepping in and play Australia A on Monday. Although India were supposed to have a day off, the BCCI have confirmed this change of schedule.
The South African team had fallen ill overnight and Quinton de Kock, who had just flown down yesterday, was pushed into the playing XI to play against India A today. Although he has a history of failing on slow, turning pitches, he managed to score a valiant century.
He did not keep wickets and even while he was on the field, the heat took its toll on him. After struggling with a few cramps, he was taken off the field after the 32nd over. The CSA confirmed that he was one of the players who was hospitalised earlier today.
Opening batsman Reeza Hendricks, middle-order batsman Khaya Zondo and left-arm pacer Mthokozisi Shezi were not completely fit before the beginning of the match. However, they were forced to play as the South African team did not have enough players on the field. These three players were also directed to the hospital during the course of the match.
The situation had become so appalling that South Africa A's video analyst Hendrikus Coertzen and India A's Mandeep Singh had to take to the field as substitute fielders. The team's reserves for today included Wayne Parnell, Beuran Hendricks, Cameron Delport, Cody Chetty and Keshav Maharaj. However, Hendricks and Maharaj were the only two substitutes that came out to field.
The team crisis also led to their defeat against India A today. De Kock and DJ Vilas were the prominent scorers for the South African side, scoring a century and a half-century respectively. The team managed to put up a score of 244 at the end of 50 overs. Rishi Dhawan stood out with figures of 4 for 49 in ten overs.
The score was easily attained with the help Mayank Agarwal's glorious century and skipper Unmukt Chand's contribution of 90.
The match was won by India A in 37.4 overs, with Agarwal being declared as man of the match.
#CSAnews @QuinnyDeKock69 returns to form as sickly SA A suffer second defeat http://t.co/sEPTpZT71e pic.twitter.com/cVyiOoDpe4
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) August 9, 2015