South Australia head into Friday’s elimination final in a confident mood after a dominant 79-run win over the Cricket Australia XI at Bankstown Oval.
The Redbacks needed victory on Wednesday to leapfrog third-placed Tasmania and set up a clash against Victoria for the right to play NSW in Sunday’s decider.
The result was rarely in doubt after South Australia made 5-244 – with the victory target revised via the Duckworth-Lewis method to 248 from 49 overs after a brief rain break – and then took wickets at regular intervals to dismiss the CA XI for 168.
It was the SA spin duo of Tom Andrews (4-41) and man-of-the-match Adam Zampa (4-48) that did the damage on a slow wicket.
“We were pretty nervous heading into today with the weather that was around, and it was a pretty big game for us with a semi-final spot on the line,” said leg-spinner Zampa.
“It is different with the weather around so you know you need to take a couple of wickets to ease that (pressure) a bit. And we were quite lucky it happened with Tom Andrews bowling well taking a few important wickets at the start (of his spell).”
Hilton Cartwright again top-scored for the CA XI, hitting an eye-catching 66 to follow up his 99 against Queensland on Monday.
Tom Cooper laid the foundation for SA making 77 off 80 balls, including three sixes, before he was run out in the final over.
The Redbacks’ top five all made starts with opener Tom Ludeman scoring a patient 50.
The match concludes the CA XI’s maiden season in the competition with the team turning around a disastrous showing in their opening two matches to collect one win amid several strong performances.
Cricket Australia’s national talent manager Greg Chappell said the team’s introduction has been a success.
“Players will now have the opportunity to think about what they have learnt, and how they might apply it to their own game and become better cricketers,” Chappell said.
“The fact we have had one win is a positive and suggests that in time the CA XI will further improve and be a very important part of this tournament.”
dan ced
Guest
Our good has been great, and our bad has been horrid.. instead of the last 2 seasons where it was just a continual trainwreck apart from Zampa and Botha.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Redbacks seem to have fallen in by default. Tassie and WA have been poor this series and QLD have been woeful. I imagine the Vics and NSW will be in the final and hopefully it is a repeat of their last game.