South Africans Too Good Despite Housego Century

South Africans Too Good Despite Housego Century

Wayne Parnell took a brace of wickets and then hit important runs for the South Africans

©REUTERS / Action Images

South Africans 262-7 (A Morkel 41, Parnell 41) beat
Gloucestershire 261 (Housego 132) by 3 wickets
One-day game, Bristol

The touring South Africans beat Gloucestershire by three wickets in a one-day game as part of their preparations for the One-Day International series against England.

Gloucestershire were bowled out for 261 with Dan Housego scoring a century but South Africa reached their target with an over to spare.

Housego, who moved to Gloucestershire from Middlesex in the close season, scored 132 in 136 balls, registered his highest score of the season, hitting 11 fours and four sixes.

Few other batsmen could follow his example, however, as South Africa took wickets regularly, Ryan McLaren returning three for 29 as Albie Morkel and Wayne Parnell grabbed a brace apiece.

James Fuller hit a useful 39 in as many balls to take Gloucestershire past the 250-mark although that was not enough against the Proteas' powerful batting line-up.

Hashim Amla (32), Dean Elgar (40) and Justin Ontong (33) got the reply off to a solid start and although Ravi Bopara, making a guest appearance, took two wickets to slow their progress, 41 in 52 balls from Morkel put South Africa back in the driving seat.

McLaren weighed in with 38 and after Morkel was trapped in front by David Payne, Parnell struck a quickfire 41 in 31 balls, and it was left to Robin Peterson (10 not out) and Thami Tsolekile (4 not out) to seal the victory.

The opening ODI is in Cardiff on Friday (24th August).

© Cricket World 2012