Borgas sets up Redbacks for final-day declaration

South Australia 398 and 5 for 171 (Borgas 68, McGain 3-58) lead Victoria 4 for 281 dec (Hussey 131, Hodge 124*) by 288 runs
Scorecard

Brad Hodge's bold declaration 117 runs behind ensured a thrilling final day at Melbourne as Jason Borgas helped South Australia extend their lead to 288. Hodge, who made 124 not out, conceded first-innings points in an effort to set up a fourth-innings chase but Borgas made sure Victoria's task would remain a difficult one, steering the visitors to 5 for 171 at stumps.

Borgas made 68 and showed South Australia's trust in their new top order might be well-placed and Ben Cameron also displayed signs of his talent, reaching 32 not out at the close. But Bryce McGain and Andrew McDonald hampered the rest of the batsmen in their attempts to bat out of their collective slump. McGain's 3 for 58 included Borgas, who was bowled, and the dangerous Mark Cosgrove for 19.

Hodge and Hussey resumed at 2 for 191 and Hodge brought up his second Pura Cup century of the season. The pair's 241-run partnership ended when Hussey was out for 131 but no other batsman reached double-figures and Hodge gambled on Victoria copying their successful fourth-innings chase against New South Wales.

They overhauled the target of 360 at Sydney in a low-scoring match last week and should they pull off a similar victory against the Redbacks it could rocket them to the top of the Pura Cup table.