Victorian all-rounder Ian Harvey has taken the first eight-wicket haul of his life to enhance his chances of selection for the upcoming one-day cricket series in the West Indies.

But a lack of bowling support allowed South Africa A to take a hold on its three-day match against Australia A on day two at Adelaide Oval.

At stumps, when bad light stopped play, Australia A was 1-26 in its second innings, with Mike Hussey on two and Simon Katich on 13, still needing another 98 runs to make South Africa A bat again.

South Africa A was dismissed for 387 in its first innings, with Martin van Jaarsveld top-scoring with 110, to take a 124-run first innings lead, after Australia A made 263 in its first innings.

Harvey finished with a career-best 8-101, bettering the 7-44 he took for Victoria against South Australia in Melbourne in the 1996-97 season.

His ability to vary his pace and get a small amount of movement off the seam was enough to consistently trouble the batsmen.

But he was unsure what effect his success would have on national selectors choosing a one-day squad for the West Indies.

"I suppose you have to ask the selectors whether the three-day game helps out at all," Harvey said.

"I'm not sure whether they've picked the squad, obviously it hasn't been announced yet, but for me personally it's good at this time to have a good bowl."

He said regardless of whether he went to the West Indies, his performance would be good preparation for the upcoming county season with Gloucestershire, where he excelled with the ball last season.

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