Weather to suit SA: Weatherald

REDBACKS opener Jake Weatherald expects a bowlers’ paradise as SA faces Queensland in the tropical outpost of Cairns from today.

The Territorian, who has been one of the side’s in-form players this summer, predicted the muggy conditions would play a major role as South Australia desperately needs a win to be a realistic chance to make its third Shield final in succession.

The conditions are likely to suit dominant swing bowler Chadd Sayers, who was released from drinks duties at the second Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval to fly north.

“It’s probably going to swing around a bit,” Weatherald said.

“The bowlers will be able to make the ball talk a bit more than it does when it’s dryer. If it swings around Chadd will get any swing that’s around and that’s what we need.

“He’s the best bowler in Shield cricket in Australia.”

The team has had an upand-down start to the season and with one win and two losses feels as though it has its back against the wall.

Weatherald said the key to setting the course straight was to improve on consistency within games – not blending cracking days with batting collapses.

“We’ve been a little bit too inconsistent which has been a bit frustrating,” Weatherald said.

“We’ve been really good one day and then poor the next. And we need to win this pretty much to stay in the competition.”

For all of that, the confidence gained from the good days meant there had been no drop in morale.

The Redbacks are convinced that if they play at their best there is still a chance to salvage the season and fan hopes for another tilt at the Shield.