South Australia skipper Travis Head scores maiden first-class ton in nail-biter at the Adelaide Oval
Match Report:
ScorecardRedbacks win one-wicket Shield thriller
Captain Travis Head's breakthrough century has helped South Australia to a tense one-wicket triumph against Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield game.
The 21-year-old skipper's 114 underpinned SA's successful chase for 316 runs which went deep into Monday's last session of play at Adelaide Oval.
Tailender Joe Mennie struck the match-winning boundary as the Redbacks reached 9-317 in a cliffhanger.
WATCH: Head's century proves the match-winner
Head's heroics put SA on track - they were seemingly cruising at 4-269 but then lost 5-39, before stumbling over the line.
A late cameo from Adam Zampa, who made 25 from 17 balls, and some edgy tailenders ensured SA's first win of the Shield season.
Winners are grinners! Hugs all round after Dad chalks up his first Shield win in style! #SAvWA pic.twitter.com/bgJJacgdD3
— West End Redbacks (@WestEndRedbacks) November 9, 2015
Head hadn't scored a first-class ton before - 17 times he'd made a half-century and didn't convert.
The left-hander struck 14 fours and a six in a superb 150-ball knock but was dismissed with SA some 32 runs shy of the their target.
Zampa then produced his influential knock but fell with SA still needing another 14 runs; Kane Richardson was out with six runs left.
But last pair Mennie and Chadd Sayers steered the Redbacks to deny WA consecutive wins.
The ice men themselves! Our number 9 and 11 looking like top order players at the death. #AllInADaysWork pic.twitter.com/maSkvCALLy
— West End Redbacks (@WestEndRedbacks) November 9, 2015
Head, after opener Mark Cosgrove contributed 63, held the run chase together as partners fell - Callum Ferguson (26), Tom Cooper (17), Alex Ross (23) hung around just long enough with him.
WA paceman Simon Mackin (3-63), Michael Hogan (3-58) and Jason Behrendoff toiled gamely while spinners Ashton Agar and Will Bosisto both took wickets.