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south australian 137 for 2 (Hunt 63, Carder 49, Kellepotha 2-43) beat Victory 136 (Seymour 51, Harris 19, McAndrew 3-22, Johnson 2-41) for eight wickets

South Australia are just one win away from ending their 11-year trophy drought after a one-sided eight wicket victory over Victoria put them into the National One Day Cup final.

The final round contest between the two second-placed teams had a ticket to the 8 March final on offer, but Victoria’s hopes were dashed early on on 6 for 97, and they were eventually bowled out on 136.

South Australia pulled off a bonus points hit on the back of a 116-run opening wicket stand between Henry Hunt (63) and Jake Carder (49).

Awaiting them is a Western Australian side looking to repeat last year’s rare feat of winning both state domestic honours.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to go out there and face them,” he said. “Winning against WA in WA will obviously be difficult, but it’s an incredible opportunity.

“We want to pass on our positive way of playing and our positive vibes to them and hopefully we can get a first win for South Australia in about 10 years, so there’s nothing but excitement in our (dressing room).”

“There is no one who is scared or intimidated by WA. They are a good team but we just need to play the best we can,” added Lehmann, who only took over the captaincy before this match after Hunt decided to focus on his hitting.

South Australia’s performance was again marked by a strong display of bowling, with six different wicket-takers.

“Our bowlers didn’t miss all day and gave them credit where credit is due,” Lehmann said. “The momentum is there and we just have to keep riding that wave.”

It was a surprisingly limp display from a Victorian team that had enjoyed a string of great victories in both forms of domestic cricket.

Victoria lined up with two debutants in opener Tom Rogers and spinner Tom O’Donnell, son of former limited overs star Simon O’Donnell.

Only James Seymour (51) impressed with the bat for Victoria, while leg spinner Ruwantha Kellepotha picked up both South Australian wickets to go down.