Victoria crush South Australia

Victoria 343 and 272 beat South Australia 262 and 156 (Blewett 45, Lehmann 45; Wise 5-47) by 197 runs
Scorecard

Victoria virtually assured itself a place in the Pura Cup final with a crushing 197-run victory over South Australia in Adelaide. Allan Wise took a five-for as South Australia collapsed to 156 all out, having started the final day on 2 for 75.

South Australia's hopes of salvaging something from the game rested with Greg Blewett and Darren Lehmann, but they were able to add only 14 this morning before Wise got Blewett to edge one through to Darren Berry. And Mark Cosgrove lasted just 13 balls before going the same route, as South Australia slipped to 4 for 99.

Graham Manou (0) and Michael Miller (7) didn't trouble the scorers unduly, and when Lehmann fell for 45, the fat lady could begin to clear her throat. Within eight overs, it was all over.

Berry, the Victoria captain, admitted that the death of David Hookes had left scars on the players, but added that his team would use to inspire them to greater heights. "What he would want us to do is continue in the fashion that he was leading us, with positive cricket, and that's what we've done all season.

"So without dedicating it to David, quietly each and every member of this side knows what we want to achieve."

Lehmann was bitterly disappointed by the defeat, which all but ended South Australia's hopes of making the final. "It's just very disappointing the way we're playing," he said. "I make no bones about it, we've been disappointing for the last few games ... we've played reasonably well in the one-day set-up but very poorly in the last few Shield games. So we've certainly got some work to do, and you know we've certainly got to look to the future probably now."

Victoria will most likely face either Tasmania or Queensland in the final next month.