David Bedingham pleased as Proteas get valuable time in the middle

The Proteas batted for the best part of two days in the four-day warm-up fixture against a West Indies Invitational XI, racking up a total of 408-8 in 119 overs.

Opener Aiden Markram top-scored with 82 while captain Temba Bavuma (51), Bedingham (74), Kyle Verreynne (65) and Ryan Rickelton (80) all struck half-centuries.

The home side posted 397 all out in their first innings with fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and spinner Dane Piedt picking up three wickets apiece.

The Proteas first-choice Test unit have not played together since January and Bedingham was happy with the workout before tackling the Windies in the two-match series.

"I think acclimatising to these conditions was important, coming from winter it was a change," the middle-order batter said at stumps on the third day.

"It's been good to get out there for three days, I think we bowled for over 100 overs which is good for our fielders and bowlers.

"I think our batters put up a good show for probably over 100 overs or more and it has been invaluable."

Bedingham is one of the few Proteas players that has played red-ball cricket recently with a fabulous start to the English County season with Durham.

The Western Province batter looked fluent at the crease in the war-um fixture and will look to build on his excellent start to his Test career which has seen him score a hundred and two fifties in four matches.

He added: "I am pleased, hopefully I can continue this momentum into the next series. People do their research and I am sure I can adapt to what they have planned.

"I can't say I have played against many of them before but they are a strong team. I like to see myself as a free-flowing player that will always take the positive option.

"I have been playing in the UK, I donâ™t think I have sweat at all. The amount of time someone changed gloves there was a massive change.

"Taking a lot of fluids and getting used to all that stuff and trying to bat as long as possible is the aim for the two coming Test matches."

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