Ross equals de Villiers' record in Redbacks win

Alex Ross equalled AB de Villiers' Australian record for the most runs scored in a single over, as South Australia's batsmen swamped New South Wales at Hurstville Oval.

Despite the return of a fit-again Mitchell Starc to the Blues' ranks for his first match since June and overcast skies that prompted the NSW captain Peter Nevill to bowl first, the Redbacks were given a rapid start by the wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey, considered a potential Ashes gloveman later this summer.

Ross and the aggressive young opening batsman Jake Weatherald then peeled off centuries to lift the Redbacks to a towering 6 for 346 in a fourth-wicket stand worth 138.

Much of the innings' momentum came from the 40th over, when Ross went after Nathan Lyon with powerful effect, taking 32 from six balls that travelled for four, six, six, four, six and six. That tally matched the 32 runs hammered by de Villiers off the bowling of Jason Holder in a World Cup match at the SCG in 2015, albeit in an over that also included two no balls to take the toll to 34.

The next best tally of 30 is also held by de Villiers, also off Holder, in the same match. George Bailey's 28 off James Anderson at the WACA in 2013-14 remains the highest in Tests. The next best is 26, held jointly by Rod Marsh off Lance Cairns at Adelaide Oval in 1980-81, Ian Botham off Simon Davis at the WACA in 1986-87, and Andrew Symonds off Heath Davis in Cairns in 1997-98. Shane Watson also belted Graeme Swann for 26 runs off a single over in a Twenty20 international at Adelaide Oval in 2010-11.

In all, the Redbacks hammered no fewer than 13 sixes, albeit at a small ground known for producing large scores. In 2015, the then captain Travis Head hammered 202 against Western Australia, as the Redbacks chased down the Warriors' seemingly daunting total of 4 for 350 with 21 balls to spare.

This time around, the Blues were given a strong start in their chase by Daniel Hughes and Kurtis Patterson, who combined for a second-wicket stand of 189 after Nic Maddinson edged the left-armer Nick Winter behind. At 1 for 202 after 33 overs the Blues were well placed, but both the centurion Hughes and Patterson were dismissed in the same Daniel Worrall over to tilt the balance.

From there, the pressure of the chase and the opposition's bowling proved too much for the hosts, as the Blues fell 45 runs short - just 13 runs fewer than the number Ross had scooped from Lyon's over. Joe Mennie finished with four wickets for the Redbacks, who have now won two of their three matches in the tournament.