South Australia’s decision to set up the game backfired after their three days of dominance ended in a crushing six-wicket loss to Victoria
Cricinfo staff13-Dec-2009
ScorecardCameron White’s unbeaten 82 guided Victoria to a come-from-behind success at the MCG•Getty Images
South Australia’s decision to set up the game backfired after their three days of dominance ended in a crushing six-wicket loss to Victoria. The Redbacks took a 271-run lead on first innings after scoring 6 for 517 and extended the advantage in their second go before the third declaration of the match left the hosts needing 381 for victory.In the end Victoria made it comfortably, with Nick Jewell calm at the top in adding 96 to his first-innings 70, and Cameron White guiding them home to 4 for 384. The come-from-behind success moved the Bushrangers to 20 points, 10 clear of South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, and justified White’s decision to declare so far behind on Saturday.Jewell was lbw to Peter George just short of a deserved century while David Hussey (66) also went to George, with his side 70 short of the target. White, who was unbeaten on 82, and Andrew McDonald (32) made sure of the result and sent Brad Hodge (61) off with a win in his final Shield game at the MCG. He will play against New South Wales next week before retiring from first-class duties.In the other dressing room Graham Manou and his side were left to wonder how things had gone so wrong so quickly. It was only the fifth time a team has made more than 500 in the first innings of a Shield game and lost. The result was particularly harsh on Michael Klinger, who wasn’t dismissed in registering 207 and 29 against his former state.