South Australia 287 (Manenti 71, Kelly 54, McSweeney 53) and 259 for 9 (Kelly 69, McSweeney 67, Lehmann 56, Edwards 4-59) drew with New South Wales 510 for 8 dec (Davies 116, Hughes 114, Green 63*, Gilkes 54)
Needing an outright win to boost their chances of making the final, NSW ran out of time to secure victory as they battled to dismiss SA in their second innings on Monday. Both captains shook hands midway through the 93rd over, with the Redbacks finishing with a lead of just 36.
NSW had hammered home their advantage in the morning after beginning the fourth and final day at Cricket Central on 465 for 8.
South Australia ran into early trouble in their bid to save the match, falling to 2 for 2. Highly-touted youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has been tipped by greats such as Ricky Ponting to be a three-format player for Australia, fell for just 2 when he was caught in the slips
It continued a lean run at Shield level for Fraser-McGurk, making scores of 0, 1, 16 and 2 across his last four first-class innings since making his debut for Australia in last month’s ODIs against West Indies.
But No.3 McSweeney proved to be a rock for South Australia, facing 242 balls for his 67 to frustrate the NSW attack. It came after McSweeney saw off 178 balls for his 53 in the first innings.
The combined 420 deliveries was the most balls any player has faced in a Shield match this season, passing Queensland veteran Joe Burns (401 against Tasmania in October).
But the Redbacks did suffer some nervous moments when McSweeney was dismissed after they hit the lead in the final hour of the match.
NSW will have to beat Queensland at Allan Border Field in their last regular season match, starting next Monday, to be any chance of qualifying for the final.
Whatever the outcome of that match, NSW will have to be satisfied given the dire position they started the season. The Blues went 21 months without a Shield victory, with their 15-match winless streak the worst in their proud history.
But an upset win over dual reigning champions Western Australia in November sparked a major revival for the traditional cricket powerhouse.
