VB Victorian Bushranger David Hussey says the form of a veteran and a rookie was the key to his side's eight-wicket win over the West End Southern Redbacks in the Ford Ranger Cup at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Brad Hodge's century, which featured a flurry of runs in the final overs, earned him a man-of-the match award but Hussey said Jon Holland's two-wicket effort on debut was just as decisive.
Hussey said he was 'rapt' with the spinner's performance which saw him take 2-44 from 10 overs. The 21-year-old dismissed former Bushranger Michael Klinger with his third delivery while a quicker ball deceived and bowled Callum Ferguson three overs into his first spell.
"I thought he changed the game, South Australia were definitely on top of us for the first 10 to 12 overs and then Jon came on and did change the tempo of the game," Hussey said of the left armer.
"The key to his success is his change of pace, I think he's a lot brighter than people give him credit for. I generally don't think spinners are the sharpest tools but he's actually quite clever," Hussey joked.
Holland's bowling exploits started the Bushrangers on their way while Hodge's dynamic performance sealed the victory.
The fringe Australian player scored 102 off 106 balls which included 11 fours and two sixes. The innings was of no surprise to Hodge who was supremely confident heading into the clash, according to Hussey.
"He makes outlandish statements and yesterday at training he said he murdered our bowlers everywhere so he's going to make a hundred and yeah he came out and did it - he's a man of his word," Hussey said.
"I was happy to sit back and defend a couple and get a bit of form up. Hodge, he deserved a hundred, he played superbly so I'm actually all for personal milestones and he's done it for so many years and another hundred at Adelaide Oval."
"He showed some of the younger batters (Rob) Quiney and (Aiden) Blizzard how to bat at this level and he did it superbly."
The only blot on Hodge's innings was the way he reached triple figures. He secured the milestone with a shot through midwicket but only after his bat slipped from his hands and sailed into the air.
He was initially left without a bat to salute the crowd but still enjoyed the celebrations.
"He's a strange a man. I think he actually wanted to grab my bat and hold that up so it was a bit different," said Hussey who shared a 104-run stand with Hodge.
The efforts of Hodge and Holland aside, Hussey said the entire team chipped in to record the victory and that the Bushrangers fought back well after Redbacks openers Daniel Harris and Michael Klinger made a positive start to the home side's innings.
"To bring them back in those middle overs was a great team effort," he said.
"Number one the bowlers actually worked out how to bowl on the wicket, really straight and full, and then Jon Holland changed the tempo and the fielders actually lifted their intensity and that's maybe what we were lacking at the beginning."