Redbacks win Shield thriller at the WACA

South Australia have pulled off a memorable one-wicket win against Western Australia at the WACA to keep their Sheffield Shield final hopes alive. Nick Benton braved a dislocated shoulder to hit the winning runs on the fourth afternoon. 

It is the second one-wicket win for the West End Redbacks against the Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors this season following a similar result last November.

Captain Travis Head was the backbone of the Redbacks charge, blasting 134 from 141 balls including 23 boundaries to fire the run chase. 

Western Australia's Joel Paris picked up 5-87 in the second innings from 20 overs, but it was a stirring unbeaten 49 from Joe Mennie and Benton's bravery that saw the South Australian's home.

In obvious discomfort and heavily favouring his injured right shoulder, Benton dug out a Paris yorker with his first ball. He then turned his second to fine leg with a one-handed glance to get off strike. 

"We didn't really want Benno to go out there, he's in a bit of pain, but that shows his character," Head said.

"He was always going to bat. I would have rathered him not have to go out there, but fortunately the scans have come back really well and there's no surgery required. He won't play again this season."

Mennie attempted to smash a short ball to the fence but a mis-hit popped up, falling just over the reach of WA's cover fielders. A single saw Benton required to face the final ball of Paris's 20th over. He produced an edge but it fell short of the slips cordon and burst through, running to the third man fence for a boundary to seal the win. 

"It's a big effort with Benno going down to have only three quicks and they came back out on day three and it was an extraordinary effort," Head said.

"Joe Mennie is still sitting on top of the wickets, "Frankie" Worrall has been unbelievable the last four or five games and Chaddy again did what he does best even though he was unlucky in the first innings."

South Australia ended the third day at 5-135 chasing 274 for victory with Head not out 61 and wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey on nine.

The Redbacks were also thought to be a batsman short with Benton having dislocated his shoulder in the field on day one.

WA began the final day at 2-31 then collapsed to be 8-88 at lunch, holding a middling lead of just 169 runs.

But 89 from captain Adam Voges with support from debutant Josh Nicholas (41) got the home side to 192, setting South Australia 274 to win.

Redbacks pacemen Joe Mennie (3-47), Daniel Worrall (3-48) and Chadd Sayers (3-76) were terrific.

South Australia then struggled to put together meaningful partnerships with the bat, losing Jake Weatherald for his second duck of the match.

Mark Cosgrove was out for 31, Sam Raphael for 16, Jake Lehmann for six and Alex Ross for two.

Head appears to hold most of the visitors' hopes, his stylish 61 including 11 boundaries.

Despite the result, WA remain an outside chance to still make the Sheffield Shield final, but it would require an oustanding performance from them in their final match against Queensland and other results to go their way.

The Warriors play Queensland at the Gabba in the final round with the Redbacks facing bottom placed Tasmania at Glenelg.

Paceman Worrall is backing Head to get the Redbacks home and will do his best if called upon.

"We're there to do a job and hopefully we don't have to make too many in the lower order, but if we have to we'll do our best to get it done," Worrall said.

"He is one that prides himself on playing and performing well in big games. We saw that through the Big Bash, we've seen it in the Matador Cup and we have every faith in him to do the job."

Worrall backed up his 5-91 from the first innings and the 24-year-old was proud of the bowling unit without Benton.

"He's seen better days the poor fella. He's still been around the group and he's tried to hide his emotions and still be his chirpy self, but I can't see him playing too much of a role," Worrall said.

"We came out with the attitude that our season hinged on how we performed. Without Benton it was hard work but we restricted them before the last couple of partnerships. We thought we'd done enough to warrant a good chase."