Brand punishes Australia bowling with 152 in Test series warmup
Neil Brand scored 152 off just 174 balls for SA Invitational XI.
Brand showed little mercy to Australia's bowlers on Saturday in Potchefstroom ahead of the three-Test series starting October 9. The 30-year-old struck 16 fours and five sixes, including three maximums off Australian allrounder Beau Webster.
Travis Head caught him off the final ball of the day. Australia skipper Pat Cummins used 11 bowlers to manage workloads, with spinners Nathan Lyon (1-31) and Matt Kuhnemann (1-46) both working through their preparations.
The flat wicket at NWU Oval gave Australia's top order the chance to respond on Sunday. Matthew Renshaw sat out due to hand injury, and Cameron Green remains in doubt for the first Test after straining his abdomen.
- 152 off 174 balls
- Brand's score
- October 9
- Test series starts
- 30 years old
- Brand's age
- 11
- Australia bowlers used
Why it mattersThe warmup shows Australia faces a significant batting challenge from the local side before the main series, and questions remain about team fitness.
AustraliaAustralia's Test squad tested their bowling depth on a placid pitch, though key players remain unavailable as the Durban series looms.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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