Victoria in charge despite Edmondson's five

South Australia 168 and 3 for 98 (Cooper 53) trail Victoria 306 (Finch 62, White 60, Wade 54, Edmondson 5-93, O'Brien 3-50) by 40 runs
Scorecard

Ben Edmondson picked up his first five-wicket haul for his new state South Australia, but Victoria remained in the stronger position after two days at the Adelaide Oval. By the close of play, the Redbacks were 3 for 98 in their second innings, still trailing by 40 runs after Victoria took a handy first-innings lead thanks to three half-century makers.

South Australia were relying on Callum Ferguson, who had 15, and Tim Ludeman, who was on 8 not out, after an important late wicket from Damien Wright. The opener Tom Cooper was guiding the Redbacks steadily until on 53 he was caught at slip by Cameron White, which brought the nightwatchman Ludeman to the crease.

The visitors had set up their advantage through consistent efforts right down the batting order, with Aaron Finch (62) the top scorer in their 306. White made 60 and Matthew Wade chipped in with 54, with David Hussey and the injured Andrew McDonald the only specialists to fail, having both made golden ducks.

Edmondson, a journeyman fast bowler who switched from Western Australia during the off season, finished with 5 for 93, while the left-arm spinner Aaron O'Brien took 3 for 50. Both teams are struggling towards the bottom end of the Sheffield Shield table and need an outright victory to stay in touch with the pace-setters New South Wales and Tasmania.