Christian leads Redbacks to comfortable success

South Australia 9 for 457 dec and 1 for 17 beat Western Australia 243 and 228 (Pomersbach 57, Christian 4-52) by 9 wickets
Scorecard
Points table

South Australia moved to fourth with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Western Australia, but their quest for a sneaky run into the Pura Cup final is over. The Redbacks were squeezed out of contention by Queensland's victory over New South Wales in Brisbane and the best they can hope for is third when they face Tasmania in the final round on Thursday.

Western Australia started the fourth day at 5 for 149, needing 65 runs to make the visitors bat again, and they achieved the initial goal by setting the Redbacks 15 to win. However, their hopes of saving the game dived quickly when Luke Pomersbach, the key man, was dismissed for 57 early in the opening session.

Daniel Christian followed up that breakthrough by removing Michael Johnson second ball and Drew Porter soon went for 18. Steve Magoffin and Brett Dorey (21) delayed the defeat during a 49-run stand before Dorey was removed by Aaron O'Brien. Magoffin, who has become a handy lower-order contributor, was left unbeaten on 42 when Ben Edmondson was caught behind off Mark Cleary. Christian collected 4 for 52 while Cleary finished with 3 for 61.

South Australia lost Daniel Harris in the short chase that was completed before lunch. The Redbacks' strong first innings of 457 was set up by Harris' 124 and 85 from the in-form Graham Manou.