Skipper Michael Klinger’s 112 lifted South Australia to a competitive total of 7-277 in their one-day cup clash with Victoria at the MCG on Saturday.
Klinger, who hit only five fours and one six from 131 deliveries, is the leading runscorer in the one-day cup this season with 417 at an average of 52.1 including two centuries.
Callum Ferguson (48) and Klinger shared a second-wicket partnership of 105 while Theo Doropoulos was out in the 49th over for a hard-hitting 50 off 35 balls.
Victoria captain Cameron White won the toss in sunny conditions and claimed 3-55 from nine overs with his wrist-spinners.
The Redbacks can claim hosting rights for the final if they beat Victoria on Saturday and they’ve put themselves in a strong position with Test spinner Nathan Lyon in their bowling attack.
Victoria pace bowler Andrew Fekete, one of three debutants in Victoria’s side, claimed the wicket of Daniel Harris caught at third man for six in the fifth over.
On a pitch that was a little slow and not suiting strokeplay, Ferguson and Klinger combined for a century stand.
Ferguson squandered the chance for a big score by chipping a ball to short mid-wicket off the bowling of White as Rob Quiney took a juggling catch at 2-120.
Cooper took his season’s tally to 351 at 87.75 after cruising to 36 off 33 deliveries. A casual attempt to make his ground coming back for two left him run out.
Klinger’s ninth domestic one-day century and second this season came off 120 deliveries and the captain fell in the 46th over, bowled by Fekete after a 61-run stand with Doropoulos.
Fekete took 2-42 from nine overs, limping off with four overs left in the innings after suffering a blow to the foot while attempting to field off his own bowling.
James Smith (five) missed an attempted cut shot and was bowled by White in the 49th over.
Doropoulos hit White for two sixes and was holed out to long on attempting a third in the same over.
Adam Crosthwaite was run out for five at the start of the final over.
Debutant spinner Clive Rose (0-53 off 12) opened the bowling in the absence of Jon Holland who has been called up to the national one-day squad.
Young Victoria allrounder Alex Keath is also on debut.
