A career-best innings from Tahlia McGrath was not enough to steer South Australia to victory, with Victoria claiming a dramatic two-wicket win with just three balls remaining in the WNCL season opener at Junction Oval.
South Australia found itself in trouble at 5/97 before McGrath and captain Jemma Barsby combined to wrestle back control of the contest.
The pair produced a superb 167-run sixth-wicket partnership, with McGrath blasting 154 from 137 balls in a dominant display.
The innings marked McGrath’s highest score in the WNCL and her third century for South Australia.
South Australia also made an encouraging start with the ball, claiming three early wickets to put Victoria under pressure. However, Australian representatives Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham responded with a match-defining 164-run partnership to swing momentum back in the home side’s favour.
Led by McGrath and experienced quick Megan Schutt, South Australia fought hard to remain in the contest and took the game deep into the final stages.
With Victoria needing six runs from the final over, South Australia was unable to find the breakthrough required, as the hosts secured victory with three balls to spare.
South Australia will have an immediate opportunity to bounce back when it faces Victoria again on Thursday in the second match of the day-night double-header.