A brilliant unbeaten Tom Cooper double century, which included a massive 260-run partnership with Dan Christian, ensured South Australia denied NSW outright victory in the Bupa Sheffield Shield clash at Bankstown Oval.
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A brilliant unbeaten Tom Cooper double century, which included a massive 260-run partnership with Dan Christian, ensured South Australia denied NSW outright victory in the Bupa Sheffield Shield clash at Bankstown Oval.
When the umpires called an early halt to proceedings late on day four, the Redbacks were 5-373 - 165 runs in front - with Cooper undefeated on 203.
Christian was denied a well-deserved century when he was caught behind on 96 off the bowling of Mitchell Starc (2-72) shortly before the close.
Cooper and Christian batted through the entire second session and most of the third to thwart the Blues' push for maximum points after the hosts secured first innings honours on day three.
South Australia lost three early wickets in the morning session but were rarely threatened once Cooper and Christian got going.
Cooper brought up his maiden first-class century with a cut shot to the boundary midway through the second session.
He raised his arms in jubilation, no doubt relieved to have cashed in after falling for 98 in the first innings.
He made the most of the flat track, kicking on to bring up his double ton with a four off Steve Smith (0-69) in the penultimate over of the game.
He faced 291 balls, hitting 25 fours and four sixes.
Christian joined him midway through the first session and went on to belt nine fours and two sixes before falling agonisingly short of his century.
His 260-run union with Cooper was just shy of the all-time South Australian record (281) for the fifth wicket.
The Redbacks began day four 1-59 and with high hopes of batting it out and preventing the Blues from taking full points.
But those plans suffered a triple setback early when both overnight batsmen - Michael Klinger and Callum Ferguson - and top-order batsman Aidan Blizzard (one) fell in quick succession.
Skipper Klinger (24) was the first to go after just six balls, bowled by spinner Steve O'Keefe (1-46 off 24 overs) without adding to his overnight total.
Ferguson started the day on 16 and managed just one more run before he was trapped lbw by a ball that kept low from paceman Josh Hazlewood (2-44).
The Redbacks slumped to 4-79 when Blizzard edged Hazlewood to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill who took a brilliant diving catch.
Cooper and Christian then batted the Blues out of the game.
NSW take two points from the game - their first collect of 2011/12 - after claiming first innings honours.
