A fighting knock by Tim Ludeman has taken South Australia’s lead over Western Australia to 165 runs on Saturday’s third day of the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

The Redbacks are 6-152 in their second innings at tea, with Ludeman not out 44 and captain Johan Botha on 27.

The pair were united with SA in strife at 6-82 but steadied the home side as they chase an outright win which could lift them to top of the Shield table.

SA made 248 in their first innings and bowled the Warriors out for 235 to claim innings points and move to 26 points, two behind leaders Victoria.

But the Redbacks’ quest to set WA a challenging target began badly as Warriors paceman Burt Cockley took two quick wickets.

Cockley dismissed Michael Klinger for three and bowled Alex Carey for one.

Allrounder Mitchell Marsh then had Sam Raphael caught behind for 22 and when spinner Ashton Agar claimed Travis Head for eight, SA were reeling at 4-45.

Callum Ferguson (21) and Jake Brown (20) both fell after appearing set, leaving Ludeman and Botha the task of reviving the innings.