South Africa surge past 400 vs Windies Championship XI

South Africa got solid batting practice on a rain-affected day three during their four-day warm-up match versus a West Indies Championship XI at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba — getting to 408 for eight at the end of play on August 2.

Replying to the West Indies Championship XI's first-innings score of 397, the Proteas pushed on from their overnight score of 172 for two, with the quartet of David Bedingham (74), Ryan Rickelton (80), Kyle Verreynne (65) and skipper Temba Bavuma (51) all adding to the aggressive 82 scored by opening batsman Aiden Markram on day two.

On August 2, Windies Championship XI skipper Justin Greaves received a call-up to the West Indies team to face South Africa in a two-match Test series starting at the Queen's Park Oval in St Clair on August 7. Greaves could do little to inspire the West Indies Championship XI bowlers on day three, though, as the Proteas rattled off back-to-back partnerships of over 100 runs, with at least four batsmen retiring out.

Bavuma and Bedingham put on 105 in their stand, with the latter being the aggressor with eight fours and three sixes in a 107-ball knock. Rickelton also found the boundary with regularity and he hit six fours and four sixes in his knock as both he and Verreynne pushed the visitors' score to 375 before retiring their innings at the tea break.

The Proteas opened up an 11-run lead before rain brought an end to proceedings in the final session. Four Windies bowlers have grabbed a wicket apiece thus far, with first-innings centurion Shamar Springer (one for 13) being the pick of the bowlers.

The fourth and final day's play will be on August 3.

Summarised Scores:

WEST INDIES CHAMPIONSHIP XI: 397 from 117.3 overs (Shamar Springer 131, Jeremy Solozano 111, Joshua Bishop 50; Kagiso Rabada 3/47, Dane Piedt 3/41) vs SOUTH AFRICA: 408/8 (Aiden Markram 82, Ryan Rickelton 80, David Bedingham 74; S Springer 1/13).