Wates misses a ton as South Australia seek victory

Day 3 of 4 South Australia 300 and 1 for 106 need 232 runs to beat Western Australia 335 and 302 (Wates 99, Hogg 75, Tait 4-59)
Scorecard

While the other two Pura Cup games were affected by rain, a fightback by Western Australia and a strong start by South Australia made for an intriguing final day's play at the Adelaide Oval. Ben Cameron and Mark Cosgrove put on an unbeaten 64-run partnership to take their team to 1 for 106, only 232 adrift of the target. But the day's honours went to Darren Wates and Brad Hogg, who fought tooth and nail to gain the upper hand after Western Australia had lost 7 wickets for 116.

The day had begun with Western Australia on 3 for 62, and the situation deteriorated rapidly when Paul Rofe dismissed Marcus North and Ryan Campbell off successive deliveries. Shaun Tait then swung into action and removed Murray Goodwin (6 for 83).

A wicket and two hours later, Wates and Hogg had put on 119 runs and their team was in a position to dictate terms. Hogg, given a life before he had scored, stroked 10 fours in his 75 (8 for 235) before being dismissed, but Wates soldiered on. Last week, Wates had displayed a penchant for hard hitting during the ING Cup final, and here, with only the tail for company, he struck out again and scored 99 before being run out one short of what would have been his first hundred.

Cameron and Cosgrove then took over, and shrugging off the loss of Shane Deitz, scored at four and a half an over to give South Australia a palpable chance of victory.