Forgotten SA skipper stuns as Aussie tour game confirms injury scare
Neil Brand hit a rapid 152 for the CSA Invitational XI against Australia, while Cameron Green is a fitness doubt due to an abdominal injury.
Forgotten ex-South African captain Neil Brand stole the spotlight on the opening day of Australia's pre-series tour match in Potchefstroom. Facing a Cricket South Africa Invitational XI on a docile surface, Brand struck a rapid 152 as the visitors carefully managed their bowling stocks throughout the afternoon.
The 30-year-old crunched 16 fours and five sixes in his 174-ball knock, scoring the lion’s share of his team's total of 7/318 at stumps after Australia chose to bowl first by mutual agreement. In the final overs, he hammered 48 runs in just 17 balls off Beau Webster, leaving Australia with every fielder stationed on the boundary in a comical finish.
Travis Head eventually ended the onslaught with a stunning catch at the deep square leg boundary, flicking the ball back in off the rope to offer Webster some respite. Captain Pat Cummins rotated heavily through his options, using 11 different bowlers and securing seven individual wicket-takers during the day.
Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann bore the heaviest workload, bowling 14 and 12 overs respectively as Australia weigh up whether to field dual spinners in the upcoming Test series. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were used sparingly, combining to remove opener Lesego Senokwane caught behind by Marnus Labuschagne early in the innings.
Off the pitch, the tour fixture highlighted a growing injury concern for the tourists ahead of the first Test. While Matt Renshaw is expected to recover from a wrist injury to open the batting, all-rounder Cameron Green is in doubt due to an abdominal issue sustained during the recent ODI series.
Reflecting on his memorable outing, Brand admitted it was an awesome experience to face and dispatch a world-class bowling attack featuring his childhood heroes. He even shared an amusing mid-match exchange with Nathan Lyon regarding the revolutions he was imparting on the ball.
Emerging 19-year-old Jorich Van Schalkwyk also displayed strong resistance, contributing 33 runs during a vital 74-run partnership in the afternoon session. Cummins restricted himself to just eight overs to stay fresh for the opening Test beginning on Friday evening.