SOUTH Australia suffered a nightmare start to its Australian Country Championships campaign on the weekend after five consecutive defeats at Toowoomba.
The Outbacks struggled to fire during the twenty20 leg of the competition and Dion Stratford’s team already appears out of finals contention at the half way point of the series.
Problems began during South Australia’s tough first round match up against New South Wales.
The Outbacks began positively, as the bowlers – led by Lachlan Pointon – cut through their opponent’s top order to hold the ascendancy at 3/44.
However, New South Wales dominated the remainder of the match.
Alec Baldwin and Michael Rixon compiled a 91-run partnership to set South Australia a target of 136.
The figure proved elusive as the Outbacks limped to 9/89 from their 20 overs.
Only Jared Marston could offer any resistance before he was run out for 18, while Caleb Ziebell was the chief destroyer with figures of 4/13 to set up a crushing NSW victory.
South Australia produced a more promising performance against reigning champion Western Australia.
A consistent bowling effort from the Outbacks restricted their rivals to 9/146.
After topping the SA bowling figures with 3/17, Mitchell Fuss led from the front with the bat to give his side a fighting chance.
The Outbacks were in a solid position at 1/71, but after Fuss was dismissed for 36, their middle order crumbled and the side fell 16 runs short of victory.
South Australia’s pain continued after a high-scoring affair with Queensland.
In front of his home crowd, Mitchell English smashed 94 runs to guide the Queenslanders to an imposing 5/154, which could have been more if not for Brad Rosenzweig’s 3/20.
Stratford opened the batting with Fuss and the latter brought the Outbacks to life once again.
Fuss was the backbone of the run chase with 76 runs off 58 balls, while Stratford and Pointon offered support with 16 and 35 respectively.
But after 40 thrilling overs, South Australia lost by four runs.
The Outbacks proved to be no match for a confident Victorian outfit.
None of the South Australian batsmen had an answer to their opponent’s bowling attack and they were skittled for 94.
Ben Boyd and Lee Stockdale claimed seven wickets as a combination, while Jordan Moran scored a half century to wrap up a convincing victory for the Victorians.
The Outbacks could not turn their fortunes in their final twenty20 match against Australian Capital Territory.
South Australia bowled first and picked up consistent wickets, but conceded 150 runs before bowling the ACT out.
Stratford enjoyed a solid outing behind the wickets with two catches and a stumping, while David Golder claimed three wickets.
The Outbacks’ run chase never kicked into gear and the side could only manage a meagre 95 runs in 17 overs.
Jake Schutz was promoted to open the innings and scored eight, while Stratford batted in the lower order and was caught for six.
South Australia will look to restore some pride in the one-day leg of the national tournament, which began yesterday afternoon against NSW.
