Victoria 5 for 244 (Hussey 65, McDonald 58*) v South Australia
Scorecard

Nick Jewell drives on his way to a patient 43 © Getty Images

South Australia's impressive all-round attack almost stalled Victoria on the first day at Adelaide as the visitors crawled to 5 for 244. On a surface offering little help to the bowlers, the Redbacks insisted on giving away few donations and the visitors crawled at around two an over until Cameron White, the captain who won the toss, was the fourth out when the score was 122.

David Hussey provided some energy in the final session along with Andrew McDonald and they each collected half-centuries to end an attritional day on a high. Hussey, who pounded two sixes and five fours in his 65, became the second victim of the legspinner Cullen Bailey as stumps approached while McDonald was 58 not out.

Jason Gillespie and Paul Rofe were the meanest with the ball and both collected a wicket each. Gillespie gave up only 36 runs from 19 overs, picking up White to a top edge to fine leg, while Rofe was just as frugal in a return that included a superb caught-and-bowled to end Nick Jewell's almost three-hour resistance on 43.

Victoria began well and had 49 at the opening drinks break before Lloyd Mash edged Bailey, who finished with 2 for 76, to Graham Manou with an attempted cut. Brad Hodge also failed to find the big score he was craving when he went for 18 as the victim of the ever-useful slow bowling of Darren Lehmann.