Seeking their first Sheffield Shield title in 20 years, South Australia have resisted the urge to change a faltering top order for the final against Victoria.
Redbacks coach Jamie Siddons on Wednesday named an unchanged 12-man squad for the home decider starting on Saturday.
The Redbacks have not passed 100 before the loss of their third wicket in their past eight innings, but Simmons says he has full confidence in the likes of experienced opener Mark Cosgrove, who has not scored a Sheffield Shield 50 since December.
“We’ve got through the new balls all year,” Simmons said.
“I’m really confident about our batting.
“The way they are hitting the ball they are about to explode and what a great time to do it.
“Cozzy has got through the new ball and made 30s all year. If he can turn that into a hundred like he has done in the past, he’s won Shields before.”
Simmons also said he expected a slightly more batter-friendly wicket at Glenelg’s Gliderol Stadium, compared to the one which allowed his team to beat Tasmania within two days last week.
South Australian squad
Travis Head (c), Thomas Andrews, Alex Carey, Mark Cosgrove, Jake Lehmann, Joe Mennie, Elliot Opie, Sam Raphael, Alex Ross, Chadd Sayers, Jake Weatherald, Daniel Worrall.
Don Freo
Guest
Except they didn't miss him, Craig. If Fergie was playing, Jake Lehmann would still be carrying the drinks. Head, Lehmann and Ross all perform stunningly well under pressure. This is a very good middle order. The Vics have a middle order made up of number 7 and 8 batsmen. ( Wade, Christian, Handscomb...)
Don Freo
Guest
If more people followed Sheffield Shield there would be a lot less calling for Aussie selectors to pick players like Handscomb, Carters, Maddinson, Abbott, SOK, Fawad, Wade, Hasings, Sayers etc and they would recognize these new names. The Australian selectors do know these players...you know...Rod Marsh and co? They cop so much flak but they watch the names that social media types have never heard of.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Opie looked good on debut. Someone said he has a look of Michael Kasprowitz about him. Joe Mennie needs two more poles to reach the magical 50 for the season. His incredible bowling should earn him at least an A cap this winter.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Reckon the Redbacks really missed the cool head and stability Callum Ferguson provides in the middle order. Cal was having a profitable year before his second major knee re-construction sidelined him.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Bit tough to bring it a new face for a final eh Siddons. Hope retaining your misfiring batting lineup does not backfire. Having said that the Vics also have an out of form top six as well. If it was not for the resurrected Cameron White the Vics would be watching the final on their PC like the rest of us.
Nudge
Guest
Cosgrove the only one playing. He's only still in though because their is no one else. He's played every game this season but I'd be shocked if he's averaged more than 25/30. Ludemann dropped at the half way point with an average around 10, Cooper dropped because he couldn't score a run and Ferguson did his knee at the start of the big bash and out for 9 months
jameswm
Roar Guru
None of them playing? Cooper, Ferguson and Ludeman? Are they injured or dropped on form? Surely Ferguson wouldn't be dropped.
Nudge
Guest
You're right James. The Redbacks are a little light on. The coach and high performance manager ( Tim Nielsen) have done an amazing job. If you said at the start of the season that Cosgrove would have a terrible year Cooper an even worse year, Ludeman would hardly make it out of a single figure score and Ferguson would only play 5 games, the odds of a Redbacks final would be a thousand to 1.
jameswm
Roar Guru
So 3 of them debuted in the last few games? Ross has done pretty well in a few formats, ditto Joe Mennie in the Shield.
dan ced
Guest
Worrall had a couple of dominant BBL05 games. Andrews had a couple of good Matador games this season. Ross has had a very solid year and a half across formats. Weatherald and Carey only debuted a couple of games ago, and Opie last match. Raphael has been in and out of the team over the course of a handful of years. ...but I see what you mean :P
jameswm
Roar Guru
Wow - I've hardly heard of half the squad. Who thought a team containing Thomas Andrews, Alex Carey, Elliot Opie, Sam Raphael, Alex Ross, Jake Weatherald and Daniel Worrallcould win the title this year?