Voges century drives Warriors home

Western Australia 5 for 272 (Voges 104*, North 69) beat South Australia 6 for 270 (Ferguson 101, Cooper 53) by five wickets
Scorecard

Adam Voges struck a composed unbeaten century to ease Western Australia past South Australia's healthy total of 270 at the Adelaide Oval, where the Warriors got home with five wickets and 16 balls to spare. Voges finished on 104 and his efforts overshadowed the highlight of the first half of the day, when Callum Ferguson posted his maiden one-day hundred.

As important as the win was for the Warriors, who now sit third on the table, it was also vital for Voges personally to find some form after a lean start to the summer. Although he holds a Cricket Australia contract and has played a one-day international, Voges has been overtaken in the national one-day setup by prolific state scorers like David Hussey and Shaun Marsh.

It was his first limited-overs century since his memorable maiden effort in 2004-05, which came from 62 balls. This was a more controlled display; he went over the top when the field was up and punched through the gaps effectively. He combined with his captain Marcus North for a 109-run stand that was crucial after Shaun Tait was on a hat-trick in the first over of the chase.

When North was unluckily run out backing up - the ball clipped the bowler Mark Cosgrove's fingers - for 69 the Redbacks sensed an opportunity. But the in-form Theo Doropoulos (42) helped Voges make the victory a certainty. The loss was bitterly disappointing for South Australia, who felt they had enough on the board after choosing to bat.

Their debutant opener Tom Cooper set up the innings with a fluent 53 before Ferguson made the century that has eluded him since making his debut in 2002-03. Ferguson, still only 23, has been spoken of highly by batting coaches but has struggled to fulfil his potential and his 83-ball 101 could be a breakthrough innings.

He began watchfully but gradually stepped up his pace and struck two sixes, including a mammoth one over midwicket off a Brett Dorey full toss. Aaron O'Brien and Cameron Borgas made useful contributions but Cosgrove, desperate to hold down his spot after being overlooked for the previous two games, made a second-ball duck when he drove straight back to the bowler Voges. It was not the last the Redbacks would see of Voges.