ADELAIDE, Nov 24 AAP -South Australia have claimed first-innings points against Tasmania following an explosive performance by the lower order in the Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval.
Redbacks skipper Johan Botha (65) and wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman (68) belted half-centuries while fast bowler Kane Richardson was in a fiery mood thumping 49 runs from just 29 balls including six boundaries and two monstrous sixes.
The home side piled on 206 runs in barely two sessions before being bowled out for 397 prior to tea.
The tail-end fireworks gave the Redbacks a lead of 106 runs with Jordan Silk and Mark Cosgrove to open the batting for Tasmania.
Botha set the tone for the hosts after they resumed on 4-191 by adopting an aggressive mindset and smashing four boundaries in the opening half hour.
Callum Ferguson took a more conservative approach in the 54-run partnership with his skipper before being bowled by Luke Butterworth (3-71) on 33.
Botha’s captain’s knock came to an end shortly after lunch when the South African was caught at cover off the bowling of Tigers spinner Clive Rose (2-76).
Power hitting and quick runs were on the agenda for the home side after acquiring the lead moments following Botha’s exit, and as a result Joe Mennie fell cheaply for 10.
Mennie’s dismissal paved the way for Richardson who instantly unloaded on the visitors with a barrage of boundaries.
Tasmania left-arm spin duo Xavier Doherty (5-96) and Rose felt the brunt of Richardson’s gung-ho use of the willow with the pair haemorrhaging five fours and a six in a three-over window.
Not even Ben Hilfenhaus’ (0-77) speed could stop the rampaging Richardson from finding the boundary rope.
Richardson again went deep over mid-wicket for a six before Doherty brought an end to the entertaining knock.
Ludeman walloped Hilfenhaus with a six to post his seventh first-class 50 while Adam Zampa crunched three quick boundaries before being bowled by Doherty for 14.
Doherty would cop further abuse from Ludeman who slogged the one-day international for another six, but the orthodox bowler would have the last laugh the very next ball when he trapped the gloveman for lbw to snare a five-wicket haul.