South Australia captain Johan Botha described his side's thrilling Sheffield Shield victory over Victoria at Adelaide Oval as 'one of the best wins we'll ever have'.
Fighting an uphill battle virtually from the start after the Bushrangers cruised to 2-279 on day one, the Redbacks gradually chipped away through smart bowling to fall over the line with just one wicket in hand.
It was SA's drought-busting first win at their home venue in 1199 days, dating back to the opening round of the 2009/10 Sheffield Shield season, which left Botha beaming.
"For the team, for our character, this is one of the best wins we'll ever have," he said. "I'm really proud of all the guys.
"I didn't really think about it but this is our first win at home in quite a while.
"It all came down to yesterday, bowling them out for 136 to have a chance in the game.
"We thought anything over 200 was going to be really tough, with a lot of pressure on us."
Faced with a tricky target of 189, the Redbacks were boosted by cameo contributions from Tim Ludeman (49), Phil Hughes (35) and Travis Head (35) before courageous Sam Raphael (27 not out) struck the winning runs with number 11 Daniel Worrall at the non-striker's end after SA lost a wicket in each of the previous two overs.
Raphael, who retired hurt late on day three after getting cracked in the head by a wicked James Pattinson bumper, emerged at the fall of the seventh wicket.
His level – albeit throbbing – head guided the Redbacks over the line.
"It was crucial for us for him to come in then," Botha said.
"Joe (Mennie) played really well in the first innings ... we felt Raph was a good buffer behind him in case we got to that.
"(He's) a calm guy who's opened the batting and faced the music upfront before.
"There was a bit of pressure on him going in.
"He's been promising all the way through – he's got a lot of 20s and 30s.
"The coaching staff, the selectors and myself said we want guys with character and he's certainly got that.
"It (head knock) was pretty serious at the time.
"We were worried overnight that he might not be able to bat at all.
"That (Raphael to come in after the seventh wicket) was our plan all the way through."
Raphael was thrilled at hitting the winning runs but admitted patches of the latter stages of the match are a blur after Pattinson's fierce bouncer left him concussed.
"I can't remember a thing from yesterday," Raphael said. "The doctor said it was my choice if I wanted to play today or not.
"She said there is a risk but it is minimal – she left it up to me and how I felt.
"I wanted to play a role.
"I don't remember it but I've got a bump on the head to remind me of it."