South Australia eye rare MCG victory

Victoria 346 and 6 for 86 (Handscomb 32*, Putland 3-14, Sayers 3-25) trail South Australia 443 (Hughes 158, Ferguson 73, Head 66, Hastings 5-66, Maxwell 4-42) by 11 runs
Scorecard

Gary Putland and Chadd Sayers bowled South Australia into a strong position to push for victory on the final day at the MCG, where Victoria went to stumps on the third evening at 6 for 86. The Bushrangers still trailed by 11 runs they were relying on Peter Handscomb, who was on 32, and John Hastings, who had 10, and the pair had formed a 45-run stand after the top order was demolished.

Sayers got rid of Chris Rogers, Ryan Carters and Aaron Finch before Putland took his wicket tally to ten for the match when he removed Glenn Maxwell, David Hussey and Cameron White. Those strikes left the Bushrangers at 6 for 41, and although Handscomb and Hastings were able to stage a recovery of sorts, the damage was done.

The Redbacks can now dream of their first Sheffield Shield win at the MCG since 1998, after earlier cruising to first-innings points. Phillip Hughes made 158, Callum Ferguson scored 73 and Travis Head made 66 as South Australia made 443, with Hastings (5 for 66) and Maxwell (4 for 42) the most threatening of Victoria's bowlers.