Blewett and Cosgrove guide SA home

South Australia have secured their second victory in the ING Cup this season following a crushing eight-wicket victory over Victoria at the Junction Oval today.

In a rain affected match, the Redbacks were set 205 to win from 41 overs, with Greg Blewett (79no) and Mark Cosgrove (71no) forming an unconquered 143-run stand to guide the visitors home with 15 balls to spare.

Despite a maiden century by Michael Klinger, Victoria were unable to produce a large enough total against a strong visiting attack.

The win caps off a superb week in Melbourne for South Australia, who won their Pura Cup clash against the Bushrangers in convincing fashion. It also propels the Redbacks off the bottom of the ING Cup table and into equal third position, while Victoria take over the mantle as cellar dwellers.

In a somewhat uplifting and rejuvenating season for South Australia, the continuing good form of Cosgrove will please many of the SACA hierarchy, as will Blewett, who brushed aside his poor form this season and spent lengthy and valuable time at the crease.

Chasing Victoria's 8-204 to win after the Redbacks won the toss and bowled first, their chase commenced in unconvincing fashion - Graham Manou (8) bowled by Peter Siddle in the sixth over at 1-19.

However, Matthew Elliott took a stand to his former team, blasting 41 from only 53 balls, while Blewett started hesitantly, playing second-fiddle to the ex-Bushranger.

When Elliott was bowled by Siddle at 2-62 in the 16th over - attempting to make use of the final over of the power play, lamenting signs crept into the Redbacks camp as they fell behind the eight-ball.

Though, with Cosgrove in career best form, he lifted South Australia past 100 without a further wicket lost, as he and Blewett formed a flourishing partnership.

Cosgrove brought up his 50 in 48 balls - the fastest of his career, while Blewett's half ton followed shortly after in 77 balls.

The pair dragged the run rate required under six, with Victoria unable to produce any chances with their raw and inexperienced attack.

As their partnership passed 100, the home side found themselves in a hole they were unable to escape from - Cosgrove hitting the winning runs with over two overs to spare.

Earlier in the day, after the match was delayed by over 90 minutes due to heavy rain causing a water-logged outfield, the Bushrangers were on the front foot from ball one - Klinger and Jon Moss (21) moving the score along at five per over.

With Moss' departure at 1-45, Aiden Blizzard had a debut he'd rather forget, falling to Jason Gillespie for a second-ball duck at 2-48.

Klinger continued to deny the South Australian attack as he passed 50 in 53 balls, while David Hussey (43) ably supported him in an 87-run third-wicket partnership.

When Hussey was stumped off the bowling of Darren Lehmann at 3-135, that was the instigator of a dominoes affect, as Victoria lost 4-26 in eight overs, courtesy of Lehmann and Dan Cullen taking the pace off the ball and forcing the home side into false shots.

Klinger battled on strongly and passed 100 in the ING Cup for the first time in his career, bringing great delight to his face.

His brazen innings was cut short three runs later when he became Lehmann's second stumping victim nearing the end of the innings.

Lehmann and Cullen finished with three wickets apiece, while Gillespie and Paul Rofe both collected one scalp each.

South Australia's next one-day assignment sees them traveling to the Apple Isle next Saturday with a clash against Tasmania, while Victoria tackle Queensland a day later at the Junction Oval.

Full scorecard available here.

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