Jamie Siddons says the pressure is on the Redbacks’ coaches and players for strong finish to season

South Australian coach Jamie Siddons is feeling the heat but more concerned with the plight of his injury plagued attack headlined by Daniel Worrall than his tenure.

SA’s Darren Lehmann, captain Jamie Siddons (front) and Tim Nielsen, with coach Jeff Hammond and physio Steve Saunders, celebrate winning the Sheffield Shield final in 1996.

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South Australian coach Jamie Siddons is feeling the heat but more concerned with the plight of his injury plagued attack headlined by Daniel Worrall than tenure.

Worrall is “shattered” at breaking down for a third time this season as chances to snare an Ashes pace slot slip by.

Time is running out for the Redbacks to avoid successive wooden spoons following their fourth loss this campaign to Western Australia in Perth.

“There is pressure on me to perform and get the players performing. That is my job,” said Siddons who guided SA to consecutive Shield finals in his initial two seasons in charge.

“We are doing everything we can, the players’ professionalism has been unbelievable and trying to keep them up day in, day out after losing many games on the trot is difficult.

South Australian players leave the field after losing on day 3 of the Round 8 Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia. Picture: AAP

“We are losing a lot of games, it means pressure but I will keep the faith, we haven’t hit any panic buttons yet. I am more disappointed they are not performing personally rather than results.”

South Australia’s designs on overtaking fifth-placed Queensland in Brisbane starting Monday have been undermined by hamstring injuries to Worrall and Chadd Sayers. Seamer Kane Richardson has returned from Australia’s limited overs tour of India with a side strain. Keeper Alex Carey and leg-spinner Adam Zampa remain in India.

Worrall and Sayers boast a combined tally of 434 first-class wickets and both swingmen eyed Ashes berths.

Worrall has signed as Gloucestershire’s overseas player but succumbed to back and hamstring injuries in his last two first-class games against New South Wales in December and in Perth on Tuesday.

“It is a really mild grade one tear which is what Chadd has got but he is really disappointed, devastated,” said Siddons of Worrall who pulled up lame after one over in WA’s second innings.

Daniel Worrall (centre) of South Australia reacts after a missed catch during day 2 of the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia in Perth. Picture: AAP

“He knows it is a critical time for him, bowled beautifully (3/60) in the first innings and was set to do the same in the second innings. He is looking at the Australia A series, Ashes and wants to win games for us so it is very disappointing for him. We will do everything we can to get him back for the last game so he can push his claims.”

Siddons wants more from veterans Tom Cooper and Callum Ferguson who are averaging 34 and 24 respectively this season.

“We are trying our hardest with the players we have got. Our senior players in Ferg, Cooper, even Lehmo and four and five year players are not performing as they would like and expect,” said Siddons.

“They are the ones who should be holding us together, the glue, are having a reasonably bad year and need to turn that around.”

SA must find a fix for its brittle batting. Siddons will consider restoring Ferguson to No. 3 with Lehmann’s highest score of 30 over four innings in the hot seat. Lehmann averages 37 at No. 5 and 46 at No.4.

“He was looking forward to playing up the order and if he is going to play for Australia he has to bat higher but has found it quite tough as everybody has,” said Siddons of Lehmann.