Victoria's Ian Harvey stole the show with a hat-trick as South Australia took first innings points in the Pura Cup cricket match at Adelaide Oval today.

In a captivating day's cricket, the Redbacks passed Victoria's first-innings total of 334 on the back of centuries to skipper Darren Lehmann and vice-captain Greg Blewett.

The home side declared at 7-337 with Blewett unbeaten on 169 and Jason Gillespie not out seven.

At the close of play on day three, the visitors led SA by 85 runs and were 1-88 in their second innings with first innings century maker Brad Hodge unbeaten on 43 and Jason Arnberger not out 40.

But all talk was of Harvey, who took Victoria's seventh hat-trick in first-class cricket and first against South Australia.

The outstanding allrounder broke a 217-run partnership between Lehmann and Blewett when he had the former caught by substitute fielder Jon Moss at cover for 103 midway through the second session.

On the third ball of his 18th over, Harvey had Ben Higgins caught by Moss at second slip for no score.

In a cruel twist of fate, joint winner of last year's Ryder Medal as Victoria's top grade cricketer Darren Dempsey had to make his first-class debut facing the hat-trick ball after moving to SA in the off season.

He was out lbw first ball to complete the hat-trick, marking only the second instance for Victoria since 1931-32.

Mathew Inness, 12th man for this week's match, took a hat-trick for the Bushrangers in 1999-00 against New South Wales in Melbourne.

Harvey, who finished with 3-65 from 23 overs, refused to talk to reporters after the day's play as he rushed from the changerooms with team-mates to watch Australia play Ireland in the international rules football match at Football Park.

SA lost 5-9 when Brad Young was dismissed without scoring, caught by Matthew Mott at gully off the bowling of Damien Fleming.

Graham Manou followed, bowled by Fleming for four.

Resuming on 78, Blewett played a brilliant innings.

He hit one six and 23 fours during six and a half hours at the crease, in which he faced 291 deliveries.

Mott was the man out in Victoria's second innings when he was caught by wicketkeeper Manou off the bowling of Mark Harrity for four.

Bushrangers one-day skipper Matthew Elliott is in doubt for Sunday's ING Cup clash between the sides and will see a specialist for a groin injury tomorrow.

Meanwhile, SA spinner Young is under an injury cloud after breaking the middle finger of his right hand while attempting to take a caught and bowled dismissal off Arnberger late today.

The injury is not to his bowling hand and a decision will be made on his fitness tomorrow.

© 2001 AAP