South Australia have continued their remarkable form, defeating Queensland by 126 runs in Saturday’s One-Day Cup clash at Karen Rolton Oval.
South Australia produced an impressive batting display after being sent in by Queensland, with Jake Fraser-McGurk making history and Nathan McSweeney notching his first century of the season.
Queensland won the toss and elected to field, but the decision was quickly put under pressure as openers Fraser-McGurk and Mackenzie Harvey made a fast start.
The pair raced to 50 from just 21 deliveries before bringing up their century partnership from 44 balls.
Fraser-McGurk was destructive, reaching his half-century from just 14 deliveries to record the fastest fifty in One-Day Cup history, surpassing the previous record of 17 balls.
The opening partnership reached 129 before Harvey was dismissed for 46 by Queensland’s Tom Whitney.
Fraser-McGurk continued his aggressive approach, bringing up a remarkable century before eventually being dismissed for 122 from just 63 deliveries.
Henry Hunt and Matt Gilkes added 17 and 18 runs respectively, before Jake Lehmann joined Nathan McSweeney at the crease to steady the innings.
Returning to South Australian colours following international duty with Australia A, McSweeney brought up his half-century from 62 deliveries.
He combined with Lehmann for a valuable 115-run partnership, with Lehmann striking 56 from 46 balls, including two towering sixes, before being bowled by Hayden Kerr.
McSweeney continued to anchor the innings, bringing up his first century of the season before eventually being dismissed for 103 from 106 deliveries.
Ben Manenti added 10 runs before Henry Thornton and Spencer Johnson saw out the remaining deliveries unbeaten.
Queensland’s run chase got off to a difficult start, with South Australia’s bowling attack claiming two wickets inside the first four overs.
Playing his first One-Day Cup match for South Australia in almost two years, Spencer Johnson made an immediate impact.
The left-arm quick made the early breakthrough, dismissing Hugh Weibgen with the Queensland opener caught by Lehmann for the first wicket of the innings.
Wes Agar struck shortly after, bowling Jack Clayton to leave Queensland at 2/17.
Johnson continued his impressive return, dismissing Hugo Burdon for 29, with Fraser-McGurk taking the catch.
Thornton and Johnson kept the pressure on, removing Hayden Kerr and Max Bryant, before Lloyd Pope joined the wicket-takers with the dismissals of Jimmy Peirson and Oli Patterson to put South Australia in a commanding position.
Johnson then wrapped up the match with two more wickets, completing a superb five-wicket haul.
South Australia will return to One-Day Cup action on 16 November, travelling to face New South Wales.