SA A vs W. Indies A Highlights | South Africa A Beat West Indies A | 1st Unofficial ODI 2025 Gros Islet

South Africa A Defeat West Indies A by 42 Runs in 1st Unofficial ODI at Gros Islet

Summary
South Africa A opened their three-match series in style with a commanding 42-run win over West Indies A in Gros Islet.
A balanced batting display, highlighted by fifties from Qeshile, Hermann, Moonsamy, and Smith, helped SA A post 283.
Mihlali Mpongwana shone with the ball, claiming 3 for 37 as West Indies A were bowled out for 241.
West Indies A saw useful contributions from Kevlon Anderson and Kevin Wickham, but collapsed in the middle overs.
SA A now lead the unofficial ODI series 1-0 heading into the second match.

Scorecard 

1st Unofficial ODI, Gros Islet (May 21, 2025)
South Africa A vs West Indies A

South Africa A: 283 all out in 46.2 overs

• Qeshile 55 (55), Smith 55 (44), Hermann 53 (47), Moonsamy 49 (58)

• Blades 3/39, Alleyne 2/44, Anderson 2/44

West Indies A: 241 all out in 44.1 overs

• Anderson 45 (47), Wickham 39 (39), Mindley 27 (22)

• Mpongwana 3/37, Moreki 2/20, Fortuin 2/45

Result: South Africa A won by 42 runs
Series: SA A lead 3-match series 1-0

South Africa A Start Tour With Confident Win Over West Indies A in Gros Islet

The picturesque Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia witnessed a competitive start to the South Africa A tour of West Indies as the visitors secured a 42-run win in the 1st unofficial ODI. Combining top-order resilience with disciplined bowling, South Africa A struck the right balance on May 21 to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Winning the toss, West Indies A opted to field first, hoping to exploit home conditions under lights. However, that plan was countered early by a resilient batting effort from the visitors, who posted a strong 283 in 46.2 overs, a total that proved sufficient despite a few late partnerships from the hosts.

Balanced Batting Anchors South Africa A to 283

Although South Africa A lost Lesego Senokwane cheaply in the second over, the innings quickly gained rhythm with a solid 93-run stand between Rivaldo Moonsamy (49 off 58) and Jordan Hermann (53 off 47). The pair navigated the early movement and then attacked the spinners, ensuring a smooth run rate above six for much of the first half.

Captain Marques Ackerman fell cheaply, but Sinethemba Qeshile and Jason Smith kept the momentum alive with impressive half-centuries. Both batters scored 55 runs, with Smith’s innings coming at a quick pace (44 balls, 3 sixes), pushing the team past the 200 mark by the 33rd over.

The lower order, despite a minor collapse, chipped in to ensure the visitors posted a competitive total. A late cameo from Okuhle Cele (17 off 14) ensured South Africa A closed on 283, a score slightly underutilized given their position at 210/5 at one stage. Credit, however, must be given to the Windies A bowling unit, particularly Jediah Blades who picked up 3 for 39.

Windies A Lose Way Despite Solid Start by Middle Order

In response, West Indies A began cautiously. Captain Alick Athanaze (33) and Kevlon Anderson (45) laid a foundation for the chase, rotating strike and absorbing early pressure from SA A’s seamers. But the turning point came after Anderson’s dismissal, trapped lbw by Bjorn Fortuin, followed closely by a mini-collapse.

Kevin Wickham’s 39 and Kemol Savory’s 26 added a spark in the middle, but the inability to convert starts into major partnerships derailed their chase. The most notable effort came from Marquino Mindley, whose 27 off 22 gave the hosts late hope, but it was too little, too late.

West Indies A were eventually bowled out for 241 in 44.1 overs, falling short by 42 runs.

Mpongwana and Moreki Impress With the Ball

The bowling stars for South Africa A were Mihlali Mpongwana and Tshepo Moreki, who delivered key breakthroughs at regular intervals. Mpongwana’s 3 for 37 broke the Windies’ middle order backbone, while Moreki’s tight lines earned him 2 for 20 in just over 7 overs.

Bjorn Fortuin, with his left-arm spin, proved pivotal in controlling the scoring rate, finishing with 2 for 45 from his quota of 10 overs. His wickets of Anderson and Wickham were key moments that tilted the match South Africa’s way.

Tristan Luus also chipped in with a vital wicket, though he was slightly expensive.

Series Outlook: Advantage South Africa A with Momentum on Their Side

With the win at Gros Islet, South Africa A now lead the series 1-0, placing themselves in a strong position heading into the second unofficial ODI. The blend of experienced domestic performers and emerging young talent showed character, adaptability, and confidence hallmarks of a side aiming to build future international prospects.

For West Indies A, the batting collapse in the middle overs remains a concern, as does their inability to apply pressure during South Africa’s death overs. They’ll need to regroup quickly before the second game to avoid a series loss.