A century for Cameron White and hat-trick heroics from Michael Beer have seen the Bushrangers cruise to victory over the Redbacks
Three cheers for Beer as Vics ease to win
Spinner Michael Beer secured a hat-trick on his Victoria return to help the Bushrangers to a comprehensive 135-run win over South Australia in the one-day cup match in Perth.
Opening the bowling Beer (3-34), who returned to Victoria following a five-year stint playing for Western Australia, found almost immediate success claiming the wickets of Jake Weatherald, Jake Lehmann and Sam Raphael in as many balls, albeit spread over two overs.
Beer's intervention left SA languishing at 5-35 and facing an almost impossible task in pursuit of Victoria's massive 5-343.
No.7 Cameron Valente saved the Redbacks from embarrassment with a defiant 100 off 102 balls, before being last man out with SA dismissed for 208 off 42.4 overs.
Valente and Tom Cooper (59) put on an 81-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Cameron White set the platform for the Victoria's win by cracking a career-best 145, with the veteran batsman opening the batting and hitting 12 fours and four sixes in a spectacular 130-ball knock.
White was ably supported by Marcus Stoinis who added 59 not out off just 45 balls, while there was notable contributions from Marcus Harris (41 from 49), Glen Maxwell (25 off 17) and Peter Handscomb (43 from 48).
The size of the win earned Victoria a bonus point in their season opener, as well as a dose of revenge for defeat against the Redbacks in last season's elimination final.
The day was also something of a personal achievement for White who was dropped for several matches last year after a dip in form.
"It was nice to bat on a beautiful wicket today, it is always a great place to bat and I think everyone batted well," said White.
"It is a new role for me as opener, but in the practice matches I have batted well and it is nice to convert that into runs.
"We are pretty short in the fast bowling department at the moment so we have to go about it a little differently, and hopefully we can keep giving the bowlers something to work with.
"I'm glad we got through this game with a win and the bonus point is crucial."
South Australia next play Queensland at the WACA on Sunday, while Victoria will meet the Warriors at the same venue on Saturday.