South Australia romped to an upset seven-wicket victory over Queensland in the Ryobi One-Day Cup clash at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, handing the Bulls their first loss of the summer.
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South Australia romped to an upset seven-wicket victory over Queensland in the Ryobi One-Day Cup clash at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, handing the Bulls their first loss of the summer.
A century from captain Michael Klinger and 40 from Callum Ferugson helped the Redbacks cruise to a dominant victory, chasing down Queensland's 195 with 12 overs to spare.
Klinger, who smashed 105 from 122 including nine fours and one six, and Ferguson (40 from 54) made light-work of Queensland's bowlers as the home side earned a bonus point for reaching the target within 40 overs.
The Redbacks dominated from the outset thanks to a four-wicket haul from paceman Jake Haberfield which saw the Bulls bowled out in the 50th over.
South Australia almost began their run chase in horror fashion when Dan Harris nicked the ball through to Ryan Broad in the slips, only for the Queensland captain to drop the simplest of catches.
Harris escaped what would have been his third Ryobi Cup golden duck in a row and was able to combine well with his captain Klinger to put a 96-run opening stand.
Klinger took advantage of a quick outfield to bring up his 3,000th run in limited overs cricket and eventually his half-century in only 48 minutes.
Harris, who struggled at the crease early, was eventually dismissed for 27 from 41 balls by Cameron Gannon.
Despite the wicket, Klinger combined well with new batsman at the crease Ferguson before the captain reached his eighth domestic one-day century in the 33rd over.
The gloss was taken off Klinger's knock three overs later when he lofted a drive straight to James Hopes at forward cover.
Ferguson was next to depart with only one run needed to win the game and it was left to James Smith, making his first appearance this season, to hit the winning run.
Brad Ipson, 2-47 from nine overs, was the best of the Bulls bowlers.
Earlier in the day, Haberfield's 4-50 from 13 overs combined with some poor shot selection spelled ominous signs for the Bulls.
The speedster was well supported by Dan Christian, who took 3-39 from 13, and was at his athletic best in the field with two diving catches.
Bulls all-rounder Michael Neser was the best of the Bull's batsmen with 56 from 70 balls including four fours and a six. He combined with left-hander Steve Paulsen (34 from 60) and later tailender Alister McDermott (10 not out from 17) for 60 and 30-run partnerships respectively.
Ben Dunk, who was dropped second ball of the match, went on to make 50 from 57 and offered early resistance, but it wasn't enough for the Bulls.
Dunk's battling innings came to end in the 23rd over when he let himself down with a dismal shot, knocking Christian's short delivery straight down the throat of Haberfield at third man.
The Bulls looked down and out at 6-85, but found some desperately-needed runs when Paulsen and Neser combined for a 60-run stand.
The duo were recalled to the side for the fixture and repaid coach Darren Lehmann, finding the rope several times between them.
The seventh-wicket mini resurgence was ended in the 40th over at 7-144 when Paulsen, drove a shot that looked destined for the boundary near Christian who reacted sharply to take a diving catch and give Haberfield his third wicket.
Richardson then claimed the prize scalp of Neser with three balls left in the innings.
