Queensland top table with thumping win

Queensland shot up to the top of the Ryobi Cup table after their bowlers handed a heavy 90-run defeat to South Australia, their fourth in five matches, in Sydney. The margin of the win could have been much bigger but for a late cameo by No 10 Adam Zampa, who scored a half-century and stretched the last-wicket stand for 6.1 overs in which 59 runs came. Zampa was finally dismissed for 66 that included four sixes in the 35th over.

The damage had been done earlier though. Chasing 274, South Australia made a quick start to their innings, with Michael Klinger and Matt Weaver putting up 34 in first four overs; the two batsmen scored 16 off Ryan Harris' second over. But it was Harris who made the first breakthrough when dismissed Klinger off the first ball of his third over. The chase went pear-shaped from that point.

Eight wickets went down in the next 18 overs for the addition of 68 runs only. None of the batsmen were able to stick together for too long, with the 22-run stand for the fifth wicket between Alex Ross and Johan Botha being the highest. But once, Ross and Tim Ludeman were sent back off consecutive deliveries from Ben Cutting, the challenge was almost over although the tail delayed the inevitable for some time. Nathan Hauritz was the most successful bowler with three wickets from his 5.4 overs.

Queensland had been put to bat and they had a strong start, with Usman Khawaja and Jimmy Peirson adding 71 for the first wicket. Although, they were slowed down in the middle after Botha's triple strikes, they recovered well towards the end. James Hopes remained unbeaten on 49, but it was Cutting who led the final charge, scoring a quick 39 off 30 balls that included four sixes.