South Australia are cruising towards victory against NSW in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

Chasing 91 to win, the Redbacks were 1-28 at lunch on Thursday’s day three.

Opener Sam Raphael was unbeaten on 14 and debutant Alex Carey was not out eight, with Michael Klinger (four) the batsman out when caught at slip from Doug Bollinger’s bowling.

SA earlier bowled out the Blues for 173 in their second innings, with paceman Joe Mennie taking 4-48 to finish the match with eight wickets.

Fellow quicks Daniel Worrall and Chadd Sayers both claimed three wickets, though Sayers did not return to action after tearing a rib muscle on Wednesday.

The Blues resumed on Thursday at 7-141 but Mennie soon struck by having Adam Zampa (11) caught behind.

Worrall then wrapped up the NSW innings by dismissing Bollinger (nine) and Stephen O’Keefe (16).

Depending on any result in Victoria’s game against Queensland, the Redbacks could rise to equal top of the Shield table with an outright win.

SA already have banked innings points to move to 20 points, two behind second-placed Queensland and four adrift of leaders Victoria.