A 111-run opening partnership was the catalyst for South Australia's bonus point victory over Western Australia in their one-day cup clash at the WACA ground in Perth.
The Warriors, who are still searching for their first victory in the competition after six attempts, were always on the back foot as the Redbacks comfortably chased down their total of 8 for 252, easing to victory at 4 for 253 in the 40th over.
The platform for the Redbacks' win was laid by openers Michael Klinger and Dan Harris, whose first-wicket stand was put on in off 125 balls in 83 minutes.
After a patient start, both batsmen went on the attack, with the Warriors bowlers struggling for consistent line and length.
Harris in particular went on the offensive, hitting two sixes and eight fours in an aggressive knock.
He was dismissed for a well-made 58 from 72 balls when he skied an attempted hook shot and was caught and bowled by Mitch Marsh.
Klinger followed soon after for 46 from 55 balls, top-edging a pull shot to wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi, who took a good diving catch to make the score 2 for 116.
The Redbacks promoted wicketkeeper Adam Crosthwaite up the order in a bid to score quick runs and chase the bonus point, but the move did not pay off.
Crosthwaite departed for 8 to leave the Redbacks at 3 for 124.
It was then up to middle-order stars Dan Christian and Callum Ferguson to guide the visitors towards victory.
Christian scored a quick-fire 38 off 23 balls before he was bowled by Michael Hogan, with the Redbacks' total at 175.
Callum Ferguson (56 not out) and Tom Cooper (36 not out) then combined to secure the win inside the 40-over mark and claim the bonus point to send them equal top on the one-day cup table.
Marsh made an encouraging return from injury for the home side, finishing with 1 for 39 from eight overs.
Returning quicks Nathan Coulter-Nile (0 for 50 off six overs) and Ryan Duffield (2 for 81 off 10 overs) were wayward, bowling too short and were punished accordingly.
Earlier, Ronchi scored a magnificent unbeaten 101 to guide his side to a competitive total.
But Ronchi's heroics were in vain as the Warriors lost their sixth straight one-day match.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, perth-6000, adelaide-5000 First posted December 10, 2011 21:36:26
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