Redbacks strike after rain delay

Victoria 4 for 85 (Hodge 41*) trail South Australia 191 by 106 runs
Scorecard

South Australia struck four times on a rain-interrupted day, as Victoria struggled to 4 for 85 at Melbourne. Only 34 overs of play was possible on the second day, but the Redbacks recovered after being bundled out for just 191 in their first innings.

There was no play before lunch, but Paul Rofe dismissed both openers cheaply soon after the resumption. Daniel Cullen then dismissed Jonathon Moss as the Bushrangers slumped to 3 for 41, before Brad Hodge and Craig White staged a mini-recovery, adding 30. White was dismissed immediately after tea, but Hodge held firm, and was unbeaten on 41 when play was called off due to bad light.

Victoria need to win the game to have any chance of reaching the finals, and with 112 overs scheduled to be bowled in each of the last two days - weather permitting, of course - Hodge, the Victorian captain, was still optimistic of a favourable result.

"We've just got to be positive," Hodge said. "Most of our guys are pretty free-scoring players anyway, so I think if we just bat the time we'll score enough runs. I don't think it's a case of hurrying on, I just don't think conditions were suitable for that tonight." Victoria will also be bolstered by the fact that Matthew Elliott is expected to bat on the third day after recovering from a virus which prevented him from opening the innings.

On the other hand, Graham Manou, the South Australian captain, was buoyed by Victoria's recent form with the bat. "I think 191 isn't enough for a first innings of a four-day game," he said. "But having said that, the Victorians have only scored over 200 twice this year in their first innings, so that was a positive thing we took into our bowling.

"We need six points to take the Hookes trophy away with us too - two points isn't going to be enough for us to win that - so we'll always play for six points, that's for sure." All ING and Pura Cup matches between South Australia and Victoria are being contested for the David Hookes Trophy - South Australia won the first leg of the Pura Cup contest by 118 runs, but Victoria won both the ING games, and lead the race by nine points to six.