The South Australia Men have pulled off a thrilling two run victory against Western Australia in their first game of the One-Day Cup.
The day started with Mackenzie Harvey receiving his South Australian Men’s cap from Head Coach Ryan Harris to mark his state debut. Harvey opened the batting and made a strong start but was caught behind on 21 in the eighth over.
After three early wickets for WA, our SA Men found some stability in Daniel Drew and Liam Scott hitting 10 boundaries collectively. Both batters made a good start but fell short of the half century with Drew out for 49 off 68 and Scott out for 46 off 61. By the end of the innings, WA fast bowler Bryce Jackson had the better of our batters with 6-31.
Switching the bat for ball, SA had two quick wickets with some outstanding fielding by Mackenzie Harvey, running out D’Arcy Short for a duck. This was followed up in the next over with Cameron Bancroft caught behind on four after edging a length ball to Harry Nielsen.
Like the previous SA innings, WA’s Sam Whiteman and Hilton Cartwright steadied the ship with a strong partnership. Ashton Turner was sent in after Cartwright (30) was caught by Nathan McAndrew off a Henry Thornton ball, and made a solid 53 before a beautiful delivery from Ben Manenti was edged to Nielsen.
A win for the South Australian Men looked unlikely before a Man of the Match performance by Nathan McAndrew. A five-wicket haul to the fast bowler assured a close finish. With only one wicket for victory, defending the final six runs, Ben Manenti tossed it up to Bryce Jackson who edged it to Nielsen. The comeback was complete.
The SA Men will remain in NSW for their One-Day Cup match of the season on Thursday against NSW.
You can watch the match via cricket.com.au and Kayo Sports from 9am ACST.