Klinger seals home final for South Australia

South Australia 7 for 277 (Klinger 112, Doropoulos 50, White 3-55) beat Victoria 229 (Finch 63, Haberfield 3-36) by 48 runs
Scorecard

A captain's hundred from Michael Klinger ensured South Australia will host the Ryobi Cup final after they comfortably accounted for Victoria at the MCG. The Redbacks will have the home ground advantage in the decider against Tasmania next Saturday, having needed to win against Victoria to jump ahead of the Tigers, who have already played their last regular match.

South Australia posted 7 for 277 against an under-strength Victorian attack, with Clint McKay and Jon Holland in the national setup and Peter Siddle told to rest by Cricket Australia. That allowed two debutants to open the bowling, the fast man Andrew Fekete and the left-arm spinner Clive Rose, and they combined for an early wicket when Daniel Harris skied a catch to Rose at third man off Fekete.

But from then on the Redbacks were hard to budge as Klinger anchored the innings with help from Callum Ferguson (48) and Tom Cooper (36). In his second match for his new state South Australia, Theo Doropoulos made a strong case for inclusion in the final with a 50 so powerful that one of his straight drives broke the foot of the bowler Fekete, who was forced from the ground and did not bat in Victoria's innings.

However, it was Klinger who South Australia had to thank for their healthy score as he finished with 112 from 131 deliveries, rarely taking a risk. Cameron White took 3 for 55 for the Bushrangers but he knew the target was going to be tough, and so it proved despite an encouraging 68-run opening stand from Aaron Finch (63) and Rob Quiney (24).

Jake Haberfield collected 3 for 36 for the Redbacks, including two in the top order, and the run-out of Andrew McDonald for 43 left Victoria in trouble. A late push from Rose and Scott Boland couldn't rescue Victoria, who were dismissed for 229 in the 45th over and will finish either fourth or fifth on the Ryobi Cup table.