South Australia on top after Gillespie's dizzy spell

South Australia 2 for 58 (Deitz 31*) trail Victoria 149 (White 41, Gillespie 7-35) by 91 runs
Scorecard

Jason Gillespie, the Australian Test discard, rocked Victoria with stunning figures of 7 for 35 - his best bowling return in five years - as they were dismissed for only 149 on the first day of the Pura Cup match in Melbourne. South Australia were in control at 2 for 58 at stumps, but their bright position was disrupted by a serious hand injury to their captain Darren Lehmann.

Gillespie started the rot by reducing Victoria to 4 for 11 in seven overs, dismissing Michael Klinger (1), Lloyd Mash (4) and David Hussey (1) - all caught behind - after Cameron White elected to bat in cool conditions. Paul Rofe chipped in with the wicket of Jason Arnberger for 2.

Victoria fought back thanks to a 74-run partnership between White (41) and Nick Jewell (26), but Gillespie returned after lunch to have White caught at the wicket and he trapped Jewell leg before in consecutive overs. He added another scalp when Adam Crosthwaite nicked one behind, giving Graham Manou, the wicketkeeper, his sixth catch of the innings. A valuable 60 runs from Jon Moss (33) and Gerard Denton (22 not out) helped Victoria limp to 149.

This was Gillespie's first major haul since his 5 for 56 in the third Test against India in Nagpur almost a a year ago, and he obtained similar pace, bounce, and movement that had him ranked as one of the game's best bowlers before a dismal Ashes series. Gillespie even found himself on a hat-trick after removing Moss and Mick Lewis in successive balls, before Dan Cullen struck to dismiss the last man Allan Wise.

South Australia overcame the loss of two early wickets to Gerard Denton, who had Matthew Elliott and Greg Blewett leg before in successive deliveries, but their worries eased despite Lehmann's injury when Shane Deitz and Mark Cosgrove put on an unbeaten 57. Lehmann has been ruled out for six weeks following an injury to his right thumb sustained while diving at short midwicket to stop a full-blooded White shot 90 minutes into the day's play.

Lehmann will have an operation for a ruptured ligament and will bat only if necessary. The injury is a severe blow for South Australia, who rely heavily on their leader's batting, and he will see a specialist in Adelaide on Wednesday.