EAST LONDON, South Africa (CMC) — Opener Zachary McCaskie struck a breezy half-century but West Indies ‘A’ suffered a first innings batting collapse to hand South Africa-A control of the second four-day “Test” at Buffalo Park.

Replying to the hosts’ 298 all out here Wednesday, West Indies ‘A’ crashed from 104 for two to be dismissed for 154, despite McCaskie’s top score of 62.

Off-spinner Dane Piedt proved the tormentor, claiming five for 28.

Armed with a lead of 144 runs, South Africa ‘A’ finished day two on 65 for one – an overall lead of 209 runs heading into Thursday’s penultimate day.

Captain Neil Brand fell cheaply for four but Tony de Zorzi (34 not out) and Raynard van Tonder (20 not out) have so far put on 42 for the second wicket.

West Indies ‘A’ had earlier done well to remove the last four South African wickets for only 32 runs, after the hosts resumed on 266 for six.

Ruan de Swardt, unbeaten on 25, struck 42 before he was ninth out, one two wickets in the morning for new-ball seamer Akeem Jordan who finished with three for 43.

Fast bowler Shamar Joseph added another to his tally to end with three for 57.

The 27-year-old McCaskie then provided West Indies ‘A’ with stability, first in a 25-run stand with Tagenarine Chanderpaul (3), then in a 27-run, second wicket partnership with Kirk McKenzie (7) before adding a further 52 for the third wicket with Kavem Hodge (25).

Chanderpaul perished before lunch, caught at the wicket off fast bowler Dane Paterson (2-28) while fellow left-hander McKenzie followed on the resumption, pacer Tshepo Moreki (3-66) gaining a marginal lbw decision.

McCaskie, who faced 95 balls in 2¼ hours at the crease and struck a dozen fours, then combined in the best stand of the innings with Hodge, who counted five fours in a positive 35-ball knock.

They perished in successive overs, however, triggering a slide which saw West Indies-A lose their last eight wickets for just 50 runs.

Hodge was bowled through the gate driving at Piedt and with no addition to the score at 104, McCaskie holed out to deep square pulling a short one from Paterson.

Captain Joshua Da Silva (7) was among the cluster of wickets to fall, the right-hander’s lean run continuing when he clipped a forward defensive prod at Piedt into the lap of short leg.