The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first with their skipper Tony de Zorzi looking in ominous touch as he stroked 12 fours and a six in an enterprising knock of 77. His opening partner Ryan Rickelton also made a half century as the duo put on 131 for the first wicket.
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Left arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara provided the much needed breakthrough when he dismissed Zorzi as it sparked a mini collapse in the middle order before Matthew Breetzke held the innings together batting at no. 5.
Breetzke was particularly impressive against the spinners on a less helpful track as the younger Proteas continued to pile on the runs. Tshepang Dithole looked good for his 43 but he played one shot too many and was trapped in front by the experienced Pushpakumara.
The only bowler who seemed to bother the visitors was Pushpakumara who got into the act once again, as he went on to capture five wickets including the prized scalp of Breetzke for 73 as the South Africa Emerging Team ended the opening day on 318/7.
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The only other bowler to pick up a wicket for the hosts was Chamika Karunaratne while Raynard van Tonder ran himself out for a duck.
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