Cooper 203* denies Blues

Tom Cooper zipped to the top of the Sheffield Shield batting aggregates with a chanceless, unbeaten 203 to help South Australia fight out a draw against New South Wales in the match at Bankstown Oval in Sydney.

Resuming at 1 for 59, SA quickly slipped to 4 for 79 and the precipice of defeat, but Cooper and the allrounder Dan Christian added a determined 260 for the fifth wicket to take SA to 5 for 373 and so frustrate the Blues in their pursuit of a first outright win of the season.

Christian was denied his century, edging behind for an obdurate 96, but by then the Redbacks were safe. Cooper reached a deserved double with a six over long on followed by a deft late cut in the same Steve Smith over. The match was called off an over later.

Smith, who made 106 in the first innings, had a difficult time with the ball, returning match figures of 1-146 from 27 overs.

More heartening was the bowling of Josh Hazlewood, gleaning 4-65 from 33 overs for the match as he continued his return to top rhythm after a lengthy absence through injury.