Klinger and Christian stun the Blues

South Australia 7 for 295 (Klinger 124, Christian 90*) beat New South Wales 294 (Smith 92, Warner 65, Thornely 51, Putland 3-53) by 3 wickets
Scorecard

The opener Michael Klinger steered an outstanding chase with a century and gained essential support from Dan Christian as South Australia narrowly over-hauled New South Wales' 294 to win by three wickets in Wollongong. The hosts were confident after Steven Smith's career-best 92 and David Warner's 65 off 40 balls rescued their innings, but the visitors were too strong and sealed the success on the third-last ball.

In an action-packed bottom-of-the-table contest South Australia were in serious trouble at 4 for 119, but Klinger and Christian came together in a 150-run stand that took them to the verge of victory. Klinger started in his usual watchful manner and held firm while his top order team-mates departed, increasing his speed until he went within sight of the finish. His 133-ball innings included four sixes and nine fours and ended when he found Smith at long-on off Mitchell Starc.

Christian had provided the power and kept on thrashing, but the Redbacks tensed up and lost two more wickets before the winning runs were scored by Gary Putland. Christian was unbeaten on 90 off 73 deliveries, with three boundary clearances and four fours.

Smith and Warner had staged a strong fightback with a 127-run stand for the fifth wicket to lift the Blues after they were knocked over by Shaun Tait's opening spell. Tait hit Phil Jaques' leg stump on 0, removed Simon Katich for 5 and bowled Moises Henriques (4) in the first five overs to have them 3 for 19.

Smith joined with Dominic Thornely after Phillip Hughes' departure at 4 for 50, putting on 128, and fell just as he was closing in on his first one-day century. The Blues were still in trouble after losing Smith and Thornely (51) in two overs, but Warner, who hit two sixes and seven fours, arrived at No.7 to slam them towards 300.

A 37-run stand between Starc and Nathan Bracken, who was returning from a knee injury, also helped the hosts. Tait was expensive at the end of the innings, returning 3 for 68, while Putland had 3 for 53 after finishing off the Blues with the final ball - and repeating the dose with the bat. Bracken backed up with 1 for 52 off 10 while Starc collected 3 for 67.