The India 'A' tour of South Africa took another backwards step in Pietersburg when they were easily beaten by 4 wickets by a very enthusiastic South Africa Country Districts XI.

Batting first the Indians could only muster 180 before being bowled out in the 49 th over. The only batsman to perform was Abhijit Kale opening the innings and ending on a well deserved 71.

The bowling honours were shared by the Country District bowlers with J Krynauw from Boland ending with the best figures of 3/25 from his nine overs. The bowlers were well assisted by some great fielding with all players prepared to throw themselves at anything to save a run. A fielding lesson from the District players a lot of the more fancied teams could have learnt from.

Country Districts were cruising to an easy win when Mohammad Kaif came on late in the innings to take 3/14 in four overs. At that point the stage for the win had been set by a solid partnership between A Galloway (68) and JP Michua (73). The winning runs coming in the 40 th over.

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