After struggling last season, the Cricket Australia XI have gotten their season off to the perfect start, with a seven-wicket win over South Australia in the opening game of the JLT One-Day Cup.
CA XI won the toss, electing to bowl and had the Redbacks in trouble immediately, at 1-1, 2-11 and 3-17 inside the first overs.
Despite a small resistance from Tom Cooper (17) and Jake Lehmann (37), SA continued to lose wickets, slumping to 5-51, before a vital century from Cameron Valentie (100 from 138 balls) ensured they posted a respectable score of 9-254.
Jackson Coleman did the bulk of the damage, finishing with 4-46, while Jonathan Merlo claimed two wickets.
In response, CA XI started just as poorly, losing Max Bryant in the second over to be 1-3.
However, Jake Carder and Beau Webster then dug in and shared a 229-run partnership, as the pair scored 102 and 121 respectively to put the game beyond doubt.
CLint Hinchcliffe (13 not out) and Param Uppal (4 not out) then steered the side to victory with four overs to spare.
Queensland take on the CA XI on Friday at Allan Border Field, while SA's next game is on Sunday also against Queensland.
