ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 30: Callum Ferguson of the Redbacks bats during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at Adelaide Oval on October 30, 2015 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 30: Callum Ferguson of the Redbacks bats during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at Adelaide Oval on October 30, 2015 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 30: Callum Ferguson of the Redbacks bats during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at Adelaide Oval on October 30, 2015 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)

Defending Sheffield Shield champion Victoria has suffered its first loss of the season after South Australia scored an eight-wicket win today at the MCG.

Chasing a tiny target of 145 on a green-tinged pitch which was still offering some movement for the pace bowlers, the second-placed Redbacks posted 2-145 after lunch on the third day of play.

Tom Cooper shared a 46-run opening stand with Mark Cosgrove (19) who fell attempting an adventurous upper cut against the bowling of Chris Tremain.

The aggressive Cooper struck eight boundaries in his 54 before he was caught at gully at 2-90.

Callum Ferguson (43 not out) and Travis Head (24 not out) added an unbroken 55-run stand for the third wicket.

Resuming on 6-123 this morning, Victoria’s tail added 40 runs in just over an hour of play as Joe Mennie and Chadd Sayers claimed two wickets each.

The consistent Mennie, 24, captured 4-55 and sits on top of the Shield wicket-taking table with 24 scalps at 18.87.

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