Blewett ton leads SA to win despite Harvey's fine hand

PERTH, Nov 6 AAP - South Australian captain Greg Blewett's unbeaten century guided the Redbacks to their opening domestic one-day win of the season against Western Australia at the WACA ground tonight.

But not before hard-hitting allrounder Kade Harvey (53 from 51 balls) led a late Warriors revival which put the home side within sight of an unlikely victory before losing by 11 runs.

It was a vital win for SA after dropping their opening two matches of the one-day interstate competition to Victoria and NSW.

But for the Warriors losing at home in their opening interstate encounter of the season was a disappointing start.

After winning the toss, former international batsman Blewett started enterprisingly before a more measured approach as the Redbacks stalled mid-innings.

His 109 not out off 137 balls included eight fours and a six and helped the SA total to 5-233 from its 50 overs before WA replied with 222 from 49 overs.

The Redbacks' pace attack struck quickly and Blewett kept the pressure on WA by having opening bowler Paul Rofe deliver his ten overs straight for the enviable figures of 1-18 with five maidens.

WA's innings started disastrously losing openers Chris Rogers and Murray Goodwin for ducks in the first two overs to be 2-0.

The Warriors struggled to score taking 27 deliveries to register a run off the bat with Marcus North struggling against former Victorian bowler Damien Fleming.

And young SA quick Ryan Harris (4-43) deepened the home team's woes removing Michael Hussey (11) and Ryan Campbell (2) in his second over to have them at 4-34 after 15 overs.

North (26) eventually fell chasing a wide delivery off Michael Miller (1-41) to have WA struggling at 5-50.

Promising teenager Shaun Marsh, son of coach and former Australian vice captain Geoff, showed his wares chipping in with 42 in his national one-day debut and Brad Hogg (49) also provided substance.

Harvey started chancing his arm late in the innings and put the home team within sight of victory needing 14 runs off the last two overs with one wicket in hand.

But after living dangerously for so much of his knock, Harvey was finally caught on the deep mid-on boundary by David Fitzgerald for Damien Fleming's (2-37) second scalp.

Earlier the visitors should have put up a larger total after openers Blewett and David Fitzgerald (49) put on 111.

Besides former Redbacks quick Paul Wilson (0-16 off eight overs), all the WA pacemen were harshly dealt with before Fitzgerald fell one short of a half century in the 26th over after pulling a Jo Angel (1-50) delivery.

The Redbacks' progress was hindered when Chris Davies (13) and Ben Johnson (10) fell in quick succession.

Brad Williams then removed allrounder Mark Higgs (2) to finish with 2-45 off his 10 overs.

Brad Hogg (1-37) bowled Michael Miller (12) with a full toss before Brad Young's (21no) quickfire knock alongside Blewett lifted SA to a competitive total.