McDonald hurt, but Victoria on top

Victoria 3 for 141 trail South Australia 168 (Cooper 53, Hastings 4-37, McDonald 3-1) by 27 runs
Scorecard

Andrew McDonald made a terrific comeback from a broken hand, only to pick up a calf strain as Victoria took the advantage on the opening day against South Australia in Adelaide. McDonald picked up 3 for 1 as the Redbacks were knocked over for 168, and by the close of play Victoria were within sight of first-innings points.

The Bushrangers went to stumps on 3 for 141, with Aaron Finch on 25 and Cameron White on 38, with McDonald set to bat with a runner after his injury struck. He had skittled the middle order of the home team with three wickets, all caught by David Hussey in the slips, before the calf problem ended his spell after 21 deliveries.

It was an eventful return for McDonald, who had missed nearly a month after his outstanding start to the summer was cut short when he broke his hand. John Hastings chipped in with 4 for 37, including the last two wickets as South Australia struggled having chosen to bat on a pitch usually renowned for runs.

Callum Ferguson did his Test hopes no help by making a second-ball duck, one of the men who edged McDonald, and Tom Cooper (53) was the only man to post a half-century. In reply, Rob Quiney (42) and Michael Hill, who made 34, gave Victoria a solid start before Ben Edmondson picked up two wickets, including David Hussey for a golden duck.