KIMBERLEY.

South Africa, Nov 10: South Africa A dec lared their first innings at 470

for 9 on the second day of the four-day match against England at Kimberley Country Club, reports Reuter

Earlier on Thu-rsday. two batsmen barely Into their second season in first-class cricket almost certainly ended Devon Malcolm's Test hopes as they hit the England fast bowler all around the field on the opening day.

And his main tormentor was Adam Bacher. 22-year-old nephew of former Test captain Alt. the country’s cricket boss who guided South Africa back in to the international fold after years of isolation because of apartheid.

Bacher who scored 116, celebrated reaching his century by pulling Malcolm for six in an over that cost the fast bowler 16 runs.

South Africa A, who won the toss, were 325 for five at the close.

Malcolm, given a last chance to win a place in next week’s opening Test after a poor start to the tour during which he has been criticised by manager Ray Illingworth, was hit for 70 runs from 16 overs.

Bacher, whose only previous first class century was in a Transvaal second XI match, was aided by 20-year-old Jacques Kallis who hit 93 as the pair shared a second wicket stand of. 18L

Jacques was the more aggressive, hitting 11 boundaries in his 136-ball innings before being bowled by off-spinner Graeme Hick as he attempted a sweep.

Bacher was called In to the team as a late replacement for opener Gerry Liebenberg who is ill and he made the most of his opportunity. unperturbed by pace and spin alike in an innings of steely determination.

Opening partner Rudi

Steyn was caught at slip off Darren Gough for 17 with the score at 33. but the entrance of Kallis gave Bacher the confidence to go for his shots after a dogged start.

He reached his century shortly after the departure of Kallis but it was the pull shot which brought his downfall as he holed out to Mike Watkinson on the square leg boundary off Gough

It was'the first of three wickets to fall for 33 runs as England belatedly fought their way back. With the second new ball. Malcolm had Louis Wilkinson snapped up by Graham Thorpe at first slip for 16 and Angus Fraser found the edge of A team captain John Commins' bat when he had made 27.

England's poor bowling performance was summed up when captain Mike Atherton first called up Thorpe to send down four overs while occasional off-spinner Mark Ramprakash was bowling at the close, despite the new ball being Just 16 overs old.