South Australia found a couple of unlikely batting heroes as bowlers Nathan McAndrew and Ben Manenti saved the Redbacks from disaster in their season debut against Queensland at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
South Australia were creaking at 6-148 but the pair were the team's top-scorers to lift the visitors to a competitive 8-278 in the domestic one-day Cup clash.
The duo added 108 for the seventh wicket before McAndrew was caught off the bowling of Michael Neser for a career-high 55 from 42 balls.
Sydney-born Manenti, in just his second Cup outing and first for the Redbacks, was out in the penultimate over for 60 off 45 balls.
Offspinner Manenti was one of a trio of bowlers debuting for South Australia, along with seamers Harry Conway and Henry Thornton.
It was a disappointing backend of the innings for the Bulls who got rid of dangermen Travis Head (47) and Alex Carey (20) to have SA at 4-136.
Captain Head looked in excellent form, striking sixe boundaries and a six at just under a run a ball, before he was stumped off part-timer Matt Renshaw (2-30).
New Australia legspinner Mitch Swepson followed up his recent tour of Sri Lanka by returning 2-42 from 10 tight overs.
