SA heading towards win in season opener

The efforts of little-known Mark Cleary had South Australia charging towards victory over Western Australia today in the opening Pura Cup cricket match of the summer.

Cleary removed the experienced pair of Michael Hussey (30) and Murray Goodwin (9) to turn the screws on WA as it chased 371 for victory at the WACA.

WA was 5-144 at stumps on day three with Marcus North (35no) and Beau Casson (0no) at the crease.

Cleary, 23, forced his way into the Redbacks last season and impressed with his fast-medium bowling by taking 16 wickets at 21.87 in four matches.

But his efforts with the bat at No.9, scoring 45 in both innings, have also hurt the Warriors.

He topscored in the second innings and importantly moved his team from 7-135, with a lead of 284, to 9-213, ensuring a 350-plus target for the home team.

Earlier in the day, WA's own unheralded swing bowler and all-rounder, Peter Worthington, had picked up career-best figures of 6-59 to limit the Redbacks to 221 in their second innings.

The six-wicket haul gave him match figures of 9-115 in just his second four-day appearance for the Warriors.

When WA batted, opener Chris Rogers (38) started the big run chase in aggressive fashion before Mick Miller (1-22) had him leg before wicket.

Hussey looked in good touch before chopping a ball onto his stumps, while Goodwin flashed at a wide ball and was caught behind.

Shaun Marsh (15) left a Rofe delivery which cut back into his stumps before Shaun Tait (1-27) caught Ryan Campbell (11) behind the crease just before the close.

Worthington had put the visitors on the back foot immediately this morning by removing overnight pair Mick Miller (17) and Mark Higgs (38) in the first 20 minutes of play.

Higgs had his off stump knocked back and Worthington then trapped John Davison (6) in front after a careless shot.

A handy partnership between Graham Manou (29) and Cleary moved the lead beyond 300 before the wicketkeeper fell to part-timer Michael Hussey (1-23).

Cleary again proved nuisance value by edging his team past the 350-run lead mark before Jo Angel (3-56) claimed his third victim.

Meanwhile, WA fast bowler Paul Wilson, who had his jaw broken after failing to avoid a Miller bouncer yesterday, will have a plate inserted on Thursday and is expected to be sidelined for two weeks.

He has been ruled out of Friday's one-day clash with the Redbacks, but should be available for the four-day match against Pura Cup holders NSW starting November 4 at the SCG.