ADELAIDE, Oct 17 AAP - Two interstate recruits making their debuts for South Australia put the Redbacks within eight wickets an outright victory over Victoria on the third day of their Pura Cup match at Adelaide Oval.

Former NSW all-rounder Mark Higgs scored a blistering unbeaten 134 from just 133 balls to help SA declare its second innings at 6-515 at tea today, setting Victoria a final innings target of 512, which would be an all-time Pura Cup/Sheffield Shield record if achieved.

Ex-Victorian off-spinner John Davison then reduced his former side's winning chances to virtually zero when he dismissed openers Matthew Elliott (21) and Jason Arnberger (42) in a 43-over final session to leave the Bushrangers at 2-94 at stumps.

Victoria, which will take two points from the match after leading by four runs on the first innings, needed a further 418 runs on tomorrow's final day to win.

Graeme Rummans was not out 18 with Brad Hodge on 11.

Elliott admitted his men had been played out of the game but would fight desperately tomorrow to stave off outright defeat.

"They're trying to crush us, aren't they, they're trying to play us out of the game and just thinking that we're going to capitulate," Elliott said.

"They probably have reason to do that by the way we played in that first innings.

"We're pretty disappointed with our first-up effort with the bat, and I think the boys are prepared to knuckle down tomorrow and really play well.

"At the end of the day if we come away with two points and they come away with nil and we win the one-dayer (on Saturday) then we've had a pretty good trip, and that's what we're aiming for."

The frustration of SA's long innings clearly told on the Victorians as Higgs and Mike Smith (32 not out) put on an unbroken stand of 67 from 50 balls before the declaration, including 18 runs from the final over of the innings, bowled by Ian Harvey.

An angry Harvey, who was being heckled by the crowd throughout the over in which he bowled four no-balls, walked in the opposite direction of the dressing rooms to remonstrate with a spectator after the declaration.

Wicket-keeper Darren Berry ran over to pull him back when he was about halfway to the fence.

Elliott defended Harvey's actions, but admitted he was glad Berry stopped him.

"I don't blame Harvs for walking over, but at the end of the day Harvs has got to have that self-control, I think he was a bit disappointed that he walked as far as he did," he said.

"He's got to have the self-control to be professional but at the end of the day when you've had it for a few hours and you've had enough of it I can't blame the guy.

Elliott said former team-mate Davison loomed as the key tomorrow.

"It always seems to happen, everyone we play against who changes states seems to be the key for that state in some particular form in the first-up game of the season and we've got to play well tomorrow and play Davo out of the game," he said.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.