Christian leads Redbacks to verge of third

South Australia 9 for 380 dec (Smith 78, Christian 71, Klinger 74, Hogan 5-83) & 1 for 6 need 88 runs to beat Western Australia 284 and 189 (Robinson 43, Christian 5-24)
Scorecard

Daniel Christian had a dream day as South Australia moved towards an outright win after Western Australia were dismissed for 189. Christian scored 71 and backed up with a career-best 5 for 24 to give the Redbacks an easy assignment on the final morning, with them needing another 88 runs after reaching 1 for 6 at stumps.

The victory would move South Australia to outright third on 16 points and keep them in with a chance of reaching the finals. South Australia closed their first innings before lunch at 9 for 380 and then started to dismantle the hosts following a 69-run opening stand.

Christian, who collected 4 for 63 on day one, removed Liam Davis for 37 before Jake Haberfield had Marcus North lbw for 4 in a crucial dismissal. Wes Robinson (43) and Mitchell Marsh went quickly before tea and after the break Christian was on a hat-trick, taking care of Luke Pomersbach and Luke Ronchi.

Suddenly the Warriors were 6 for 111 and there was a chance the game would be over in three days. However, Voges stayed for 26 until bowled by Haberfield and Ashley Noffke, who was unbeaten on 37, got some help from the tail before Christian finished the innings with back-to-back wickets.

South Australia gained an advantage of 96 in the first session following a bright display from Christian, who built on the work of James Smith and Michael Klinger on the second day. Michael Hogan, the fast bowler, picked up a personal best of 5 for 83 after knocking over Aaron O'Brien in the first over of the day for 46. He added Tim Ludeman (22), who had been hit in the chin and helmet, and Gary Putland (1) in a rewarding collection that expanded late in the day when he bowled Smith.