AB ill again as SA cruise to second win

23 May 2017 - 10:26 By Telford Vice
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Half-centuries for Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and David Miller, and three wickets for Chris Morris, were the highlights in South Africa's victory over Northamptonshire in their tour match on Sunday.

The lowlight was the absence of AB de Villiers, with a respiratory problem.

South Africa need De Villiers back for the one-day series against England starting at Headingley tomorrow, continuing at The Rose Bowl on Saturday, and ending at Lord's on Monday. All these games serve as rehearsals for the real thing: the Champions Trophy, in which South Africa will play their first match against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Saturday next week.

Until now De Villiers' team had not needed him - after their 66-run win over Sussex they had a closer but still easy 13-run win in Northampton.

The South Africans recovered after losing Quinton de Kock for 0 to the 11th ball of the match with a stand of 93 between Amla and Du Plessis, another of 74 between Miller and Farhaan Behardien and a late, unbroken, blast of 54 off 38 balls between Morris and JP Duminy, at No9.

Amla made 59, Du Plessis 50 and Miller 51, to go with a handy 33 from Behardien.

The end result was 275/7 and all that kept Northants in touch after a fair start was a 43-ball 54 by debutant Tom Sole at No 9.

Opener Max Holden made 55 to steady the ship after the loss of Ben Duckett, bowled with the third ball of the innings.

Morris took 3/36 and Morné Morkel and Imran Tahir took two wickets each. In an improved bowling effort only Dwaine Pretorius went for more than a run a ball. 

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