A dramatic lower-order collapse has seen Western Australia go down to South Australia by 14 runs in their Ryobi Cup match at the WACA on Saturday.
The Redbacks made 9-219 off their 50 overs and the Warriors looked to be cruising towards the total before the loss of Mitchell Marsh (retired hurt) and four wickets for just 18 runs saw them slump to 9-205.
Travis Birt (32) and Marsh (21 not out) looked to have worked Western Australia into a winning position only for Marsh to appear to tear his hamstring while attempting a second run.
Marsh was unable to return to the crease when the ninth wicket fell and his team needing 14 runs to win.
Birt fell shortly after the Marsh retirement with the score at 6-187 and the Warriors still needing better than a run a ball off the last six overs.
The Warriors had looked in control of the run chase, but a steady stream of wickets kept the visitors in the game.
Sam Whiteman's 74 looked to have set Western Australia up, but he lacked support from the rest of the top order.
Marcus North (18), Adam Voges (15) and opener Tom Triffit (15) all failed to combine with Whiteman for a noteworthy partnership.
All-rounder Dan Christian finished with 3-62 off 13 overs, Kane Richardson and Gary Putland both had 2-39.
South Australia's day got off to a rocky start when opener Phil Hughes (four) and No.3 Callum Ferguson (two) went early to see them slump to 2-7.
Tom Cooper (26) and Michael Klinger (21) steadied the ship with a 54-run stand before another collapse saw the visitors go to 5-61 as they lost three wickets for just one run.
A second rescue mission and a record sixth-wicket stand for the South Australians against WA from Johan Botha (46) and Alex Ross (62) got the Redbacks to 6-157.
The Redbacks' tail was able to get their team to a defendable 9-219.
Mitchell Johnson was the pick of the Western Australia bowlers with 3-47 off his 13 overs.
Young quick Jason Behrendorff claimed 2-40, nabbing the early wickets of Hughes and Ferguson.
First Posted 17 November, 2012 10:52PM AEST
