Klinger century frustrates his former team

For a decade Michael Klinger struggled to hold down a position in Victoria's first-class team. In his first match against them, and his initial Sheffield Shield appearance for South Australia, a determined Klinger ground out his highest first-class score as the Redbacks replied to Victoria's healthy 473.

By the close of the third day South Australia had avoided the follow-on but conceded first-innings points after Graham Manou declared on 7 for 357. Victoria lost Nick Jewell in the second innings but Chris Rogers and Brad Hodge took them to 1 for 51 at stumps, with an overall lead of 167.

South Australia's batting line-up has been notoriously unreliable over the past two seasons and in their first four-day outing of 2008-09, the familiar faces again were largely disappointing. Cameron Borgas made 1, Callum Ferguson scored 21, Daniel Harris laboured over 18 - all recognisable trends for Redbacks fans. One of their new men, Aaron O'Brien, also made an inauspicious start when he was lbw for 4 not offering a shot.

The major fight came from Klinger, who batted nearly all day for his 150, having started the morning unbeaten on 31. Converting starts into centuries was Klinger's major weakness at Victoria, where he reached triple-figures twice in 39 first-class games.

He had support from Manou, who made an important 33 before he became the left-arm spinner Jon Holland's first Sheffield Shield wicket. Victoria's bowling was tight but they battled to break through on an unresponsive pitch and, barring a bash-and-crash and brave final-day declaration from Victoria, a draw looms at Adelaide Oval.