173 off 136: South Africa A captain tons up to rescue side from 54-5 against England Lions

Marques Ackerman slams 173 off 136 to help South Africa A take healthy first-innings lead

Ackerman slammed the 14th ton of his first-class career, having come on to bat at 38-3 after Mitchell Stanley picked up three wickets in three overs. The visitors went down to 54-5 as Eddie Jacks joined the party, taking two, 103 behind the Lions’ 157 with half the side back in the hut.

The skipper found some support from Sinethemba Qeshile as the duo added 50 runs for the sixth wicket when Alfie Ogborne trapped the wicketkeeper-batter leg before. Another 80-run stand with Prenelan Subrayen followed, during which Ackerman completed his fifty, but just as it looked like South Africa A would end day one without any further hiccups, Jack had Subrayen caught behind to reduce them to 184-7.

Starting the second day at 79*, Ackerman lost overnight partner Nqobani Mokoena early on, but continued scoring at a quick pace to complete his century off 87 deliveries, just after surviving a catching and run-out scare. No.10 Dane Paterson played a handy knock of 27 off 40, with the duo adding 103 runs for the ninth wicket off 83 balls.

Also read: Three wickets in three overs: England development quick rips apart South Africa capped top-order in Lions clash

Ackerman was ultimately dismissed for 173 off 136, trying to reverse sweep Lions skipper Dan Mousley, and South Africa A finished at 331, with a 174-run lead. His innings featured 25 fours and five maximums. At the time of writing, England Lions were 43-1 after 12 overs, with Asa Tribe and Mousley in the middle.

Earlier, the Lions were bowled out for 157 after batting first in the first unofficial Test of the two-match series. Just three batters reached the 20-run mark, with Ekansh Singh top-scoring with a 25. Jason Smith returned figures of 4-15, whereas Mokoena took three wickets.

The second ‘Test’ has been scheduled to start on May 29 in Beckenham, while the three unofficial ODIs will be played between June 5 and 9.

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