South Africans whip Hyderabad XI

South Africa [ Images ] warmed up for the upcoming five-match limited overs' series against India [ Images ] with a thumping eight-wicket victory over Hyderabad Cricket Association XI in Hyderabad on Monday.

Making most of the early dew conditions, the South African seamers bundled out HCA XI for a paltry 127 before knocking off the target in just 25.5 overs.

Right arm pacer Andre Nel [ Images ] returned with two wickets for 14 runs while Shaun Pollock [ Images ], Makhaya Nini and Justin Kemp exploited the favourable conditions to pick a wicket each.

The best bowler on view was however spinner Johan Botha [ Images ], who claimed three for 54 with his teasing flight.

After testing their bowling strength, the South African batsmen waded into the weak HCA bowling.

Skipper Graeme Smith [ Images ] scored a blistering 44 off 45 balls with one towering six and six fours.

AB de Villiers [ Images ] played a sensible knock of 55, inclusive of two fours and two sixes.

South Africa will play the first one-day international against India in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Brief scores:
HCA XI 127 all out in 42 overs (Daniel Manohar 20, Arjun Yadav 21; Johan Botha 3-54, Nel 2-14) lost to South Africa 132 for 2 in 25.5 overs (G Smith 44, AB de Villiers 55).