NSW end season winless as South Australia hold on for draw

South Australia's push for an unlikely winning run-chase turned into a game of survival with the Redbacks ultimately hanging for a draw in their final-round Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales in Adelaide.

Set a challenging 386 from 87 overs for victory at Karen Rolton Oval, South Australia ended at 290 for 7. The Redbacks were in the contest at five wickets down, and with 144 required from the final 20 overs, but the dismissal of captain Jake Lehmann forced the home side to bat for a draw.

The result means South Australia finished ahead of Tasmania in fourth on the Shield standings but means New South Wales have gone through the season winless for the first time since the competition became a home and away 10-game season in 1982-83.

Daniel Drew scored 84 at No.3, completing an excellent match having made 85 in the first innings, as South Australia built slowly after a relatively cautious start.

Lehmann kept the run rate high, scoring 74 from 83 balls, following on from his first innings century, while Liam Scott made 40 only to be undone by a stunning catch at square leg by Blake MacDonald off Ben Dwarshuis. Scott smoked a pull shot only for MacDonald to pluck it one-handed diving full length to his right.

Lehmann was adjudged lbw off Chris Green, before Harry Nielsen and Nathan McAndrew ensured the home side secured a draw.

Earlier, New South Wales batted for seven overs during the morning, before declaring at 247 for 3. Young opener Ryan Hackney was the only wicket to fall but not before he completed his maiden first-class century. He slept overnight on 98 not out but found the extra two runs for his first Sheffield Shield century before falling for 102.