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Aussies secure semi final spot | 03:22
South Australia’s trophy drought is over.
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For the first time since 2012, the Festival State’s cricket team has tasted glory in a national competition, winning Saturday night’s domestic One-Day Cup final by 64 runs against Victoria.
Batting first after being sent in at Adelaide Oval by Victorian captain Will Sutherland, South Australia posted a competitive 7-268 from its 50 overs,
In reply, Victoria started well and seemed on target to win the decider, and the inaugural Dean Jones Trophy, at 1-74 in the 14th over.
However, South Australia’s skipper Nathan McSweeney then brought himself into the attack, and swung the momentum in his side’s favour with the wickets of Marcus Harris (41) and Peter Handscomb (1) to reduce Victoria to 3-78.
The dismissal of the experienced Handscomb was particularly impressive, with McSweeney completing a remarkable caught and bowled effort after the ball was smashed back at him.
Despite a fighting knock of 50 from 52 balls from Sutherland, the Victorians never truly regained the ascendancy and were bowled out for 204 in the 44th over.
Paceman Henry Thornton was the pick of the bowlers for the winners, taking 4-27 from 9.3 overs.
He was well supported by Nathan McAndrew (3-47 from eight overs) and McSweeney (2-14 from four overs), while Brendan Doggett also chimed in with a wicket.
Ex-South Australia coach Jason Gillespie was full of praise for his former team.
“I’m so proud of this team, and I’m so proud of (current coach) Ryan Harris and his support staff,” Gillespie told Fox Sports.
“This is thoroughly deserved. They’ve played wonderful cricket all summer. It’s absolutely brilliant.”
Earlier, opener Harry Nielsen (68), Jake Lehmann (67) and all-rounder Liam Scott (54 not out off 37 balls) each posted half-centuries as the South Australians recovered from 5-174 to add 94 in their final 14 overs for the loss of only two more wickets.
Veteran paceman Peter Siddle and all-rounder Sutherland each took three wickets for the visitors, although the latter was quite expensive in conceding 67 runs from his 10 overs.
Siddle’s scalps included Nielsen and Lehmann, while Sutherland’s haul included the wicket of his Melbourne Renegades BBL teammate Mackenzie Harvey (23).
Test quick Scott Boland went wicketless for the Victorians, with his 10 overs costing 51 runs.
Spinner Todd Murphy (0-34) also failed to take a wicket, but was the most economical of Victoria’s bowlers, conceding just 3.4 runs an over.
