South Australia storm into finals

South Australia 313 (Blewett 102, Harris 77) beat Queensland 245 (Perren 45) by 68 runs
Scorecard

Greg Blewett led the charge with a fluent 102 at the Gabba © Getty Images

Powered by Greg Blewett's century, South Australia defeated Queensland by 68 runs at Brisbane and have booked a spot in the final of the ING Cup on Friday. It will be their first finals appearance since 1995-96.

South Australia's total of 313 always looked ominous for the home team, who lost wickets at regular intervals in trying to accelerate the scoring. Queensland were eventually bowled out for 245, failing to bat out their 50 overs.

Choosing to bat, South Australia took firm control with a second-wicket partnership of 184 between Blewett and Daniel Harris, who made 77. Man-of-the-Match Blewett scored at over a run-a-ball, and his 102 came off just 93 balls with 11 fours and two sixes. After his departure, his side were already motoring at more than six an over. A minor hiccup followed with two more wickets falling in the space of four overs.

Darren Lehmann and Cameron Borgas then put on 63 for the fifth wicket, still maintaining a healthy run-rate. A late innings cameo from Ken Skewes, who made 24 off just 16 balls, took the score past 300. James Hopes was the most successful bowler, picking up three wickets but at the cost of 65 runs off his eight overs.

In pursuit of 314, the Queensland top-order failed to convert their starts, with Jason Gillepie accounting for the first three wickets. None of the Bulls' batsmen crossed 50, with Clinton Perren top-scoring with 45 and Chris Hartley making 40.

South Australia face the prospect of meeting either New South Wales or Victoria in the finals on February 26.