A century to skipper Michael Klinger has given South Australia a 48-run win over Victoria at the MCG on Saturday night and the right to host this year’s one-day cup final.
The victory means the Redbacks finish on top of the table and will host the final on February 25 against Tasmania.
Man-of-the match Klinger paced South Australia’s innings of 7-277 with a classy knock of 112 off 120 balls.
Victoria, playing for pride only and fielding three debutants, were bowled out for 229 in 44.2 overs with Aaron Finch top-scoring with 63.
South Australia’s sloppy fielding and a ninth-wicket partnership of 40 between Clive Rose (23 not out) and Scott Boland (19) gave Victoria faint hope late in the match.
“It’s going to be huge for us. The boys play very well there,” Klinger said of his side’s home-ground advantage in next week’s final.
“We’re usually pretty good in the field so we hope to rectify that (fielding efforts) next week.”
Klinger 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 smashed 50 off 35 balls in the closing overs.
Bushrangers captain Cameron White, who invited South Australia to bat, claimed 3-55 from nine overs with his wrist-spinners.
Victoria debutant Andrew Fekete took 2-42 before limping off with a fractured left foot suffered while fielding off his bowling, while fellow first-gamer Rose took 0-53 off 12 overs.
Victoria’s run chase began strongly on the slow-paced pitch as Finch dominated a 68-run opening stand with Rob Quiney (24).
Quiney appeared shocked when given out caught behind off Jake Haberfield (3-36) and Cameron White’s run drought continued when he fell caught at backward point off Haberfield for six.
Gary Putland’s lbw appeal against Finch on 63 was initially unsuccessful but the decision was overturned after a review by the third umpire.
Finch was furious, throwing his bat on the ground after crossing the boundary rope.
Andrew McDonald’s run out for 43 after a sharp piece of fielding by Test spinner Nathan Lyon was a hammer blow to Victoria’s hopes.
