Ferguson eases Redbacks to three-wicket win

South Australia 7 for 212 (Ferguson 63) beat Tasmania 211 (Paine 33, R Harris 3-49) by 3 wickets
Scorecard

Callum Ferguson justified the selectors' decision to recall him with a mature half-century that guided South Australia to victory in their last one-day match of the season. Ferguson fell for 63 shortly before the Redbacks overhauled Tasmania's 211 in a match that had no bearing on Sunday's final between Victoria and Queensland.

Darren Lehmann pushed and prodded for 35 as he and Ferguson compiled a 69-run fourth-wicket stand that put South Australia within reach. The lower order finished the job despite losing 4 for 32 in the closing stages. Ferguson played sensible strokes and waited for the bad balls, scoring seven fours and one six in his 85-ball innings.

Matthew Elliott got the home side away to a solid start with 37 and finished the home-and-away matches as the competition's top run-scorer. The luck had all gone South Australia's way after George Bailey, leading Tasmania for the first time in the absence of Dan Marsh (calf), chose to bat on a green-tinged pitch.

Michael Dighton was run out for 26 when Matthew Wade's drive deflected off the hands of the bowler, Lehmann, and crashed into the stumps at the non-striker's end. Eight overs later Xavier Doherty fell in almost identical fashion with Lehmann the bowler once again.

Tasmania were in danger of an even lower score until Chris Duval (32) and Brendan Drew (27 not out) added 52 for the ninth wicket. Dan Cullen bowled well to claim two wickets but Ryan Harris (3 for 49) finished with the best figures.