Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s superb century helped South Australia clinch the Sheffield Shield titles with a stunning 56-run win over Victoria on Monday.
Facing defeat at 79/5 in the second innings, Carey advanced to 103 in a crucial late stand with Nathan McAndrew (60) at number nine.
Their bowlers got the job done at Melbourne’s Junction Oval to deny Victoria a first domestic red ball crown since 2018-19.
“Very nervous, I think maybe the game slipped out of our hands,” South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney told reporters.
“But the lads, Case (Gary) and Maka (McAndrew), spent a lot of time in the middle and were able to chip away at the total… then getting to 195 gave us a lot of pace and really needed to bowl.
“Our rushes have been great all year. It was great to see them give the ball and go to work,” he added.
Victoria strangled the five-day decider early on as Will Sutherland 4/54 and Fergus O’Neill 3-30 bowled out South Australia for 198.
In reply, the hosts scored 261 on the back of O’Neill’s unbeaten 64 and former Australian opener Marcus Harris’ 40.
When South Australia were reduced to 79/5 in their second innings, they were doomed.
But Carey dug in, sharing a 105-run stand with McAndrew to set Victoria a tricky target of 196 to chase down.
They reached 102/3 but then fell to 7/37 and were all out for 139, McAndrew, Liam Scott and Henry Thornton claiming three wickets.
“The key moment was probably the partnership between McAndrew and Carey,” Victoria captain Sutherland said.
“I still think we could have done it this morning … it’s still a young team and I think it can handle those chases under a lot of pressure.”
South Australia defeated Queensland in last year’s final, with a brilliant Gary Centurion once again leading the way.