South Australian coach Jamie Siddons says no excuses in JLT Cup silverware quest
WHY winning the JLT Cup means everything for South Australian coach Jamie Siddons.
TIRED of bridesmaid status, South Australian coach Jamie Siddons says silverware is everything entering Thursday’s JLT Cup opener against New South Wales.
Depth and experience built over three years under Siddons at Adelaide Oval means this isn’t a summer for regrets.
“Any coach who has been around three years, you have done your groundwork and need to start getting results. We have four finals, no wins and everyone is of the belief we are good enough to win it,” Siddons told The Advertiser.
SA was one-day runner-up to Western Australia last season, New South Wales in 2015-16 and Victoria in consecutive first-class campaigns from 2015-17.
“We have to take that next step. I am really just expecting player improvement. If we can be playing our best cricket at the end of the competition we are a good chance,” Siddons said.
The coach isn’t concerned at being two speedsters and a captain down before a ball is a bowled this tournament.
Jake Lehmann will debut as skipper, with Travis Head on Test duty against Pakistan. One-Test swing bowler Chadd Sayers and 2017-18 leading wicket-taker Nick Winter replace Daniel Worrall and Spencer Johnson, who returned to Adelaide with back injuries.
“Frank’s back stiffened up so we sent him for treatment to see if we can get him right for a couple of weeks’ time,” said Siddons of Worrall.
Sayers has been pigeonholed as a red-ball specialist but had worked to develop the “tricks so he can survive and prosperin this format,” said Siddons. “Chadd is a bit disappointed about missing the last (Test) squad, looking forward to this and putting himself forward for a big summer.”
Australian one-day seamer Kane Richardson will spearhead an impressive Redbacks attack.
“Richo is in the best place he has been, has got his pace up and inswinger back which is working beautifully for him,” said Siddons.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa is targeting an international recall with a revamped action that has excited Siddons and troubled team-mates in the nets.
“He seems to be beating the bat a lot more than he has in the past, has got a bit more pace through the air,” the coach said.
“His run up is a bit quicker, which is allowing him to push through the crease and get a good result at the other end of the wicket.”
Siddons rates Lehmann a natural-born leader, appointed skipper ahead of Australian T20 vice-captain Alex Carey given the keeper-batsman’s international commitments.
“Kez will be away for nine games of the Shield season if he holds his place in the Australian one-day and Twenty20 teams,” said Siddons.
“We stuck with Lehmo, his leadership skill has been on display for the last two years.”
Jake Weatherald and Carey put on a competition-high, 212-run opening stand in SA’s elimination final win against Victoria last October.
Weatherald cracked two tons last season and the Redbacks require a similar platform to challenge for a fourth one-day title.
“The opening combination were really good last and we need that to happen again to make it a little bit easier for Callum Ferguson and Lehmo batting at No. 4,” said Siddons.