Redbacks close in on Blues' lead
An unbeaten 53 by Mark Cosgrove lifted South Australia to 2 for 103 on the second day against New South Wales, who were earlier bowled out for 288 in their first innings
Cricinfo staff
04-Nov-2006
South Australia 154 and 2 for 103 (Cosgrove 53*) trailNew South Wales 288 (O'Brien 74, Tait 4-97, Gillespie 3-46) by 31 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
An unbeaten 53 by Mark Cosgrove lifted South Australia to 2 for 103 on the second day against New South Wales, who were earlier bowled out for 288 in their first innings. Cosgrove and Cameron Borgas added 90 for the third wicket after the early dismissal of both openers, but South Australia still trailed by 31 at close of play.
After bundling out the Redbacks for just 154 in their first innings New South Wales had the opportunity to amass a huge lead, but fine bowling performances by Shaun Tait and Jason Gillespie restricted their advantage to 134. Tait nailed three middle-order batsmen and finished with 4 for 97, while Gillespie wrapped up the tail and ended with fine figures of 3 for 46.
Resuming at 2 for 96, the Blues quickly lost a couple of wickets to slump to 4 for 111 before Aaron O'Brien and Brad Haddin rescued them with a 72-run stand. Haddin finally fell for 46, but O'Brien carried on and top-scored with 74, before being dismissed by the left-arm spin of Darren Lehmann. Stuart Clark contributed 25 and helped add 56 for the seventh wicket to ensure New South Wales ended with a sizeable lead.
Clark then struck crucial blows with the ball as well, dismissing Matthew Elliott and Shane Deitz with only 13 on the board. Cosgrove and Borgas fought back spiritedly, but with the Redbacks still trailing by 31, New South Wales still held the upper hand.