Redbacks demolish Warriors

South Australia have enhanced their claims for a spot in the ING Cup final after easily defeating Western Australia by 108 runs at the WACA Ground in Perth tonight.

The Redbacks followed on from their success last summer here in Perth with another convincing display. Mark Cosgrove collected the man of the match honours for his quick-fire innings of 121, off 115 balls that included 13 fours and three sixes.

The Southern Redbacks elected to bat first in humid conditions. Cosgrove and Shane Deitz took to the Warriors rookie bowler Matthew Petrie. The openers saw the total past 50 in the 10th over before the first wicket fell, Deitz (22), to Steve Magoffin.

Magoffin seized his second wicket four overs later with Cameron Borgas bowled for 13. Darren Lehmann then joined Cosgrove in the middle and the pair smashed the bowlers about and shared a third wicket partnership of 161 runs.

The Redbacks had a 300-plus total within reach before a brave fight-back in the final 10 overs from the Warriors saw the visitors lose 7-40. It took the part time spin of Marcus North to halt the match-winning partnership, Lehmann caught behind by Luke Ronchi for 76. North had a double when Callum Ferguson played to Chris Rogers at long on.

Supersub David Bandy then ended the fruitful knock of Cosgrove with a great catch taken by debutant Liam Davis at long off. Bandy had first over figures of 2-1 after bowling Ken Skewes (1) two balls later.

North finished with 3/37 from his 10 overs after he claimed Mark Cleary for 11 in the 47th over. Two run outs of Jason Gillespie (4) and Graham Manou (9) saw the innings close at 9-271.

The Warriors run chase began with a boundary wide. Shaun Tait's first over went for a 15 but he struck back in his second with Ronchi (4) caught by Cullen Bailey at fine leg. Langer looked like a man on a mission early in his innings as he raced to 14, however the fall of Davis (6) to Gillespie in the sixth over slowed the scoring by the home side.

Langer fell for 19 in the 11th over attempting to revive the spiralling run rate. Chris Rogers and Shaun Marsh took the Warriors past 100 after North (12) spooned the ball back to bowler Cleary. The middle-order pair had the crowd of 3,800 anticipating a thrilling finish.

However, it was not to be as the home side emulated the feats of the visitors and lost their last six wickets for only 56 runs. Redbacks supersub Ryan Harris and Bailey combined to end both Marsh (31) and Rogers (47) innings'. Harris required attention from the team doctor after falling awkwardly in taking the catch of Rogers.

Lehmann finished with 2/35, Bandy and Worthington (11) his two scalps. Bailey was the best bowler with 3/33, and with Borgas finished with a wicket each as the Warriors were all out for 163 off 40.3 overs.

Next match, both teams play again this Sunday with the Redbacks at home to Victoria, while the Warriors take on Tasmania in Devonport.

Both teams are back at the WACA on the first weekend in March for a Pura Cup match.

Full scorecard available here.

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