Australia 'A' Batsmen Recover From Shaky Start

Australia 'A' Batsmen Recover From Shaky Start

Dale Steyn took three wickets for the South Africans but Australia A were able to close on 325 for seven in Sydney

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australia A 325-7 (Quiney 85) v South Africans
Tour game, Sydney, day one

Four batsmen scored half-centuries while Dale Steyn took three wickets and Rory Kleinveldt two as Australia A closed day one of their tour game against the South Africans on 325 for seven in Sydney.

Rob Quiney top scored with 85 as the home side mounted a recovery having been reduced to 44 for three early on as the South Africans made a fast start.

A century partnership between Quiney and Steven Smith (67) put the Australians back on track and further runs from Alex Doolan, unbeaten on 76, and Glenn Maxwell, who made 64 in 90 balls, completed a good day for Australia A.

Steyn returned figures of three for 43 with Kleinveldt impressing on his first outing in Test match colours by finishing with two for 45.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir took two for 114 and was the only other player to take a wicket.

Liam Davis (10), Phil Hughes (5) and captain Andrew McDonald (0) were the men to fall and their departures put Australia A under pressure although the 122-run stand between Quiney and Smith was a fine recovery effort.

Quiney and Smith were then dismissed within eight runs of one another and Moises Henriques (6) became Kleinveldt's second wicket but Doolan and Maxwell combined to add 133 for the seventh wicket and ensure Australia A closed the day in a strong position.

Tim Paine was unbeaten on one.

© Cricket World 2012