SA faltering against Bushrangers

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South Australia have made a horror start to their Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria and head into lunch at 5-81.

After winning the toss and batting at Adelaide Oval, SA's top order crumbled with paceman Andrew McDonald taking 3-1 before leaving the field with a suspected hand injury.

It's the all-rounder's first match back since breaking his hand last month.

Speaking after Victoria's Ryobi One-Day Cup win on Wednesday, captain Cameron White said the Bushrangers would target the Redbacks' inexperienced openers, but it was two of SA's most seasoned campaigners that failed to fire.

Skipper Michael Klinger was removed for two while Callum Ferguson was dismissed for a duck in the same McDonald over.

Tom Cooper kept the Redbacks' total ticking after fellow opener Tom Moffatt was out for 12, caught behind by Matthew Wade off Clint McKay.

Off-spinner John Hastings claimed his first wicket with the opener dismissed caught behind for 53.

More disaster followed in the next over when Aiden Blizzard was sent back to the dressing room as SA's chances of posting a big first-innings total appeared dashed.

The hard-hitting left-hander was dismissed for just a single as McDonald and Hussey combined again for the third time.

The pair proved a lethal combination in removing three of SA's most important batsmen, although some poor stroke play from the Redbacks certainly helped McDonald's cause.

Klinger edged low to second slip where Hussey took a great diving catch before Ferguson lashed out two balls later at a delivery wide of off stump and one he probably should have let go.

The SA No. 4 edged it to the slip cordon where Hussey claimed a second stunning catch and he didn't have to wait long to take his third as McDonald got another scalp for the Bushrangers - Aiden Blizzard.

Dan Christian is unbeaten on nine for the Redbacks with Aaron O'Brien also not out on three.

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