McKenzie, Boeta remind selectors
Source: SundayTimes - 27 October 2002

South Africa 'A' were well placed at close of play on Saturday, the second day of their match against Sri
Lanka at the De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley.

Replying to SA A's first innings score of 483/8 declared, the Sri Lankans were 166/4. Opener Marvan
Ataputtu was on 74 and Hashan Tillakaratne had two.

Resuming on 289/2 on Saturday morning, Boeta Dippenaar and Neil McKenzie (pictured) took their third
wicket partnership to 256 in 337 minutes before McKenzie was caught down the leg-side by wicket-keeper
Prasanna Jayawardene, off tall fast bowler Dilhara Fernando, for a classy 249-ball 160. His 12th first-class
century included 23 fours and a six.

Skipper Dale Benkenstein, having waited over five and a half hours for his turn to bat, was trapped LBW first
ball by Fernando.

Justin Ontong, avoiding the hat-trick, then stroked a delightful eight-boundary 38 off only 29 balls. But
calling for a sharp single to Marvin Atapattu at mid-on, he paid the price.

The impressive Atapattu pounced on the ball, threw down the wicket at the bowler's end and Ontong was
found wanting.

After going to lunch on 387/5 scored off 119 overs, SA A immediately lost two quick wickets after the
resumption - Robin Peterson for 13 and the patient Boeta Dippenaar.

Dippenaar's monumental and excellent 134 (his 15th first-class century) came off 354 balls and included 18
fours.

Andrew Hall and Thami Tsolekile then lifted SA A from 396/7 to 431/8 before Hall 38 not out and Steve
Elworthy 23 not out, tore into the Sri Lankan attack adding 52 runs before the innings was declared closed
on 483/8.

In spite of the late SA A onslaught, the Sri Lankan bowling was steadier on the second day.

Chaminda Vaas finished with 3/79 in 25 overs while his new ball partner, Dilhara Fernando, took 3/108 in
27.3 overs.

Sri Lanka began their innings badly losing opener Russel Arnold and number three Kumar Sangakkara with
only 11 runs on the board. Quinton Friend had Arnold caught behind and Steve Elworthy bowling at a very
lively pace, trapped Sangakkara in front.

The aggressive Mahela Jayawardene immediately set about the bowling and the 50 came up in the 10th
over. Elworthy, bowling with a very attacking field, should have had Jayawardene caught behind with his
score on 19.

With Atapattu batting beautifully and Jayawardene taking the game to SA A, the runs flowed. The
introduction of left-arm spinner Robin Peterson brought the needed breakthrough - Jayawardene playing
one that turned noticeably, into the hands of slip, Andrew Hall. His entertaining 60, which included 12
boundaries, came off just 76 balls. The third wicket partnership realised 101 runs.

Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya was dismissed by Peterson shortly before the close of play for 24. Peterson was
the pick of the SA A bowlers taking 2/37 in 15 overs.

Scoreboard

South Africa A first innings
J Rudolph b Vaas 0
A Petersen c Jayasuriya b D Fernando 42
B Dippenaar C Jayasuriya b M Jayawardene 134
N McKenzie c P Jayawardene b D Fernando 160
D Benkenstein lbw b D Fernando 0
L Ontong run out (Attapattu) 38
R Peterson c P Jayawardene b Vaas 13
A Hall not out 38
T Tsolikele st P Jayawardene b Vaas 18
S Elworthy not out 23
Extras (9lb 5nb 3w) 17
TOTAL (for eight wkts dec) 483
Fall of wickets: 1/0, 2/68, 3/324, 4/324, 5/376, 6/395, 7/396, 8/431
Bowling: Vaas 25-8-79-3 (1w), D Fernando 27,3-3-108-3 (3nb 1w), Laksitha 24,3-4-113-0 (2nb 1w), H
Fernando 29-8-68-0, Arnold 19-3-55-0, Tillakaratne 2-0-21-0, M Jayawardene 7-1-30-1
we
Sri Lanka first innings
M Atapattu not out 74
R Arnold c Tsolekile b Friend 1
K Sangakkara lbw b Elworthy 1
M Jayawardene c Hall b Peterson 60
S Jayasuriya c Benkenstein b Peterson 24
H Tillakaratne not out 2
Extras (4lb) 4
TOTAL (for four wkts) 166
Fall of wickets: 1/10, 2/11, 3/112, 4/150
Bowling: Elworthy 12-2-68-1; Friend 8-1-31-1; Peterson 15-6-37-2, Hall 7-3-15-0, Ontong 3-0-11-0