SOUTH Australia’s disappointing Australian Country Cricket Championships campaign continued with a heavy defeat to New South Wales in the opening one-day clash at Toowoomba on Monday.
The Outbacks were on the back foot from the outset after the opposition’s opening batsmen took command.
Adam Berwick and Aaron Wivell compiled an 89-run partnership before the former was out just after he brought up his half century.
David Golder gave South Australia way back into the game when he dismissed Wivell four overs later, but the Outbacks’ hopes were crushed by Kerrod White.
The number three batsman smashed 115 runs from just 76 balls and propelled New South Wales into a dominant position.
Although his batting partners fell at regular intervals, White found numerous ways to find and clear the boundary rope to keep the scoreboard ticking.
His feats ensured NSW posted a solid score of 8/264, with Golder and Jayden Crees the only wicket takers with two each.
South East’s Dion Stratford enjoyed his time behind the stumps after he claimed two of the four run outs during the innings.
However, the captain’s smile disappeared during South Australia’s run chase.
The Outbacks’ top order crumbled at the hands of Scott Burkinshaw, who picked up 4/34 from his 10 overs.
Stratford and fellow South East cricketer Jake Schutz could only manage nine runs between them, as only three players reached double figures.
South Australia could only last for 28.3 overs before it was bowled out for 109.
The 155-run loss means the Outbacks’ finals chances are now all but over, as they must win their last four games, while significantly increase their net run rate and hope Victoria do not score another victory.
South Australia was contesting its second one-day fixture against Western Australia at the time of print yesterday.
