Bushrangers in control

A 99-run seventh-wicket partnership between debutant wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman and all-rounder Dan Christian has helped South Australia scrap to a mediocre 292 in its Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria at Adelaide Oval on Friday.

The Redbacks were bowled out late in the day, leaving the Bushrangers with an uncomfortable two overs to face to reach stumps.

The visitors are 0-2 with Chris Rogers and Nick Jewell the unbeaten batsmen.

South Australia was floundering at 6-166 before Ludeman and Christian saw the score move onto a more respectable 265 when Ludeman was dismissed by Bryce McGain for 62.

Christian was out minutes later but his watchful knock of 37 runs from 139 deliveries was just as valuable. Mark Cosgrove (53) and Aaron O'Brien (47) were the other major contributors but were dismissed just as the home team started to build momentum.

Quick Dirk Nannes was damaging in the first session and finished with 3-65. Clint McKay also took three wickets while Andrew McDonald bowled tidily and finished the day with two breakthroughs.

It was a fair fight back by the home side but its score was still below par on a good batting wicket.

Ludeman hasn't donned the wicket-keeping gloves but has already proven a worthy replacement for skipper Graham Manou, who joined the Australian team in India on Thursday after Tim Paine's untimely injury.

He struck some beautiful cover drives, a slog sweep into the Chappell Stands and took the proactive role in his partnership with Christian.

The 22-year-old innings lasted 100 minutes and 82-balls and included nine boundaries and the six.

The Redbacks were on the back foot from early in the opening session with a fiery spell from Nannes reducing them to 3-28.

James Smith, stand-in captain Daniel Harris and Michael Klinger could only manage single-digit scores while Tom Cooper struck six boundaries in his 25 before McDonald sent him back to the change rooms.

It's been a lean start to the summer for Klinger who has managed just 22 runs in his three Shield innings this season, while he was out for a duck against the Bulls in his only Ford Ranger Cup appearance.

The Redbacks were playing confidently immediately after the break with Cosgrove bringing up his half-century with a guide down to the third-man boundary.

But he lost his wicket only minutes later - the left-hander clipped a McDonald delivery in the air and straight down the throat of Nannes at fine leg.

The dismissal brought an end to what had been a steadying 66-run partnership with O'Brien.

South Australia first innings
Harris c Rogers b Nannes 7
Smith c Wade b Nannes 9
Klinger c Wade b McKay 4
Cosgrove c Nannes b McDonald 53
Cooper lbw McDonald 25
O'Brien lbw Hastings 47
Christian lbw McKay 37
Ludeman lbw McGain 62
Bailey not out 16
Haberfield b Nannes 4
George lbw McKay 4
Extras: 24 (b 6, lb 13, w 1, nb 4)
Total: 292 (10 wickets; 92 overs)

FoW: 1-17, 2-20, 3-28, 4-67, 5-134, 6-166, 7-265, 8-271, 9-280, 10-292

Bowling:
Nannes 17 - 2 - 65 - 3
McKay 19 - 5 - 49 - 3 (1w)
McDonald 18 - 6 - 42 - 2 (2nb)
Hastings 15 - 2 - 56 - 1 (2nb)
McGain 19 - 5 - 48 - 1
Hodge 4 - 1 - 13 - 0

Victoria first innings
Rogers not out 0
Jewel not out 2
Extras: 0
Total: 2 (0 wickets; 2 overs)

Bowling:
George 1 - 1 - 0 - 0
Haberfield 1 -0 - 2 - 0