White steers Vics home in one-day clash

An ailing Cameron White and assistant coach David Hussey combined to turn around Victoria’s one-day batting woes for a successful run-chase of 300 against South Australia on Monday night.

White defied cramp in the dying overs to hit an unbeaten 102 (101 balls) – the highest score in this season’s abbreviated interstate tournament – and see the Bushrangers home by four wickets with nine balls to spare in an absorbing contest at the Gabba.

Defending 8-299 in good batting conditions, the Redbacks looked down and out with White and Hussey (65 off 41) in full flight during a 91-run fourth-wicket stand.

But when veteran Hussey, in his first season as an assistant to coach Greg Shipperd, hit a return catch to Gary Putland with 10 overs left, South Australia roared back into the contest.

It took a hard-hitting cameo by burly all-rounder John Hastings, who hit a quick-fire 23 not out after they needed 36 from the last five overs.

Despite the tense end, the Vics’ batting display was in stark contrast to their season-opener on Saturday when routed for 111 by Queensland.

Hastings had also shone with the ball, taking 3-37 from his 10 overs as the Redbacks’ middle-order punished wayward late bowling.

Youngsters Alex Ross (65 off 58 balls) and Travis Head (52) led the way for South Australia but threw their wickets away when centuries were in the offing.

Skipper Johan Botha (61) combined with Ross for a run-a-ball 77-run fifth-wicket stand that turned the innings before wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman (49 not out off 35) blazed away in a freewheeling cameo.

South Australia rested returning speedster Shaun Tait, who went wicketless in their season-opening loss to NSW on Saturday, preferring to keep him fresh for Wednesday’s clash with Western Australia.

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