18 Sep 2010

Redbacks first through to cricket's Champions League semis

1:08 pm on 18 September 2010

The unfancied South Australian cricket side, the Redbacks, are the first team through to the semi-finals at the Twenty20 Champions League in South Africa.

They sailed to an eight-wicket victory over Bangalore's Royal Challengers with nine balls to spare.

Bangalore set a target of 154, including 46 runs off 28 balls from New Zealander Ross Taylor, dismissed by Shaun Tait in the ninth over.

But the Australians paced their chase perfectly, scampering numerous quick singles and smashing regular boundaries, particularly through the offside.

Their third win from as many matches seals a last-four spot even before their final group game against Guyana next week, and guarantees them at least $US 500,000 of the $US 6 million prize pool.

New Zealand's Central Districts Stags play South Africa's Warriors team tonight in Port Elizabeth.