Head ton tips thriller South Australia's way

South Australia 191 (Ferguson 40, Behrendoff 4-55) and 9 for 317 (Head 114, Hogan 3-58) beat Western Australia 211 (Whiteman 45, Mennie 4-50) and 295 (Bancroft 111, Marsh 92, Richardson 3-54, Mennie 3-56) by one wicket
Scorecard

South Australia's last pair of Joe Mennie and Chadd Sayers eked out the last eight runs required for the Redbacks to complete a thrilling last-day chase of 317 and beat Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield match at the Adelaide Oval.

The hosts appeared to have the chase well in hand for most of the day, thanks to a long-awaited maiden first-class hundred from their captain Travis Head, after 17 previous scores of 50 or more.

Mark Cosgrove had also contributed a sturdy 63 at the top of the order, and at 4 for 269, South Australia looked headed for a more comfortable victory than they could have imagined when the Warriors were 2 for 217 the previous afternoon.

But Alex Ross, Head, Tim Ludeman, and Adam Zampa all fell in quick succession to allow WA a glimpse of victory, with Michael Hogan and Simon Mackin both bowling well.

It was left to Mennie and Sayers, who had combined well with the ball on day one to roll the Warriors for 211 in their first innings, to scramble the last few runs, something they managed to achieve to the delight of the new captain-coach combination of Head and Jamie Siddons. WA and SA now have one outright win apiece entering round three of the Shield.