Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.<\/p>\n
Wicketkeeper Sam Harper dragged Victoria out of early trouble on a rain-hit opening day of their clash with South Australia on Tuesday with the third-fastest century in Sheffield Shield history.<\/p>\n
Sent in to bat first, Victoria crumbled to 4-29 and then 5-67 in tricky, overcast batting conditions against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Campbell Kellaway congratulates Sam Harper of his stunning century.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n But as batting became slightly easier, Harper launched an aggressive rear-guard assault to help Victoria reach 5-187 by stumps. It was Harper\u2019s third first-class century in his 44th game.<\/p>\n He brought up the milestone from 64 balls in a knock that included six sixes. Only David Hookes (34 balls) and Luke Ronchi (51 balls) have scored faster Shield centuries.<\/p>\n The 26-year-old will resume on Wednesday unbeaten on 101 after combining with Campbell Kellaway (38 not out) for a 120-run partnership.<\/p>\n Just 43 overs were bowled as rain and a wet outfield delayed play significantly before bad light brought play to an early finish.<\/p>\n The most controversial moment of the day came when Peter Handscomb refused to leave the crease after being caught by Redbacks captain Jake Lehmann in the slips.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n