ADELAIDE, April 13: Australia’s winning World Cup team member Andrew Symonds scored a cavalier half-century, but South Africa ‘A’ were well placed at stumps on day one of their three-day match against Australia ‘A’ at Adelaide Oval Sunday.

When bad light stopped play, South Africa ‘A’ were 66 without loss in their first innings, with Ahmed Amla on 38 and Adam Bacher on 20, in reply to Australia ‘A’s 263 all out.

Symonds top-scored with a hurricane 78 from 79 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes, both off left-arm orthodox spinner Nicky Boje.

His innings saved his team from major embarrassment after he came to the crease with the score 47 for three after Australia ‘A’ lost early wickets on a pitch containing plenty of life.

Symonds said his mental approach to batting had been helped by his new-found confidence stemming from his World Cup performances for Australia in Africa earlier this year.

“My batting hasn’t changed — it’s still the same sort of thing, the only change is in your head really,” Symonds said.

His innings was ended by a brilliant running catch in the deep by Quinton Friend, who ran from long-off to long-on to take the chance off Boje’s bowling.

Boje finished with 4-55.

Amla and Bacher played steadily to guide their side to stumps without loss, though Amla had two lives. He was dropped at slip by Ian Harvey off a no-ball when on seven and missed again by wicket-keeper Ryan Campbell, diving down the legside, when on 28.—AFP