Bandy's bullish fifty sinks South Australia

Western Australia 4 for 193 (North 59, Bandy 52*) beat South Australia 138 (Cosgrove 50*, Hogg 3-24) by 55 runs
Scorecard

A scorching fifty from David Bandy and three wickets from Brad Hogg left South Australia limping at the bottom of the Twenty20 table with a 55-run defeat against Western Australia at Perth.

In pursuit of a challenging 194, South Australia's innings was anchored by Cosgrove, who came to the wicket in the fourth over when Darren Lehmann was bowled by Ben Edmondson. He struck three fours and two sixes in his 50, from 42 balls, but received scant support from the middle-order, although Ken Skewes briefly threatened in his blistering 20. After smacking Hogg for successive sixes, he was bowled attempting a third and thereafter South Australia's innings fell away.

Unlike their opponents', Western Australia's middle-order did fire - but only after an early alarm at the top of the order. Ryan Harris (2 for 25) removed both openers with successive deliveries, leaving Western Australia struggling on 2 for 29. But Marcus North survived the hat-trick delivery and, together with Adam Voges (42) put on 97 thrilling runs for the third wicket to stabilise the home side's innings.

It wasn't until Bandy came to the crease, though, that the fireworks really started; in just 21 balls, he crunched an unbeaten 52 , with seven fours, twice clearing the boundary, as Western Australia romped to the top of the table.

South Australia now face New South Wales, and Western Australia take on Tasmania, on Sunday.