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SA perplexed after Shield loss to Victoria

South Australia's batting woes against Victoria, which ended with a 124-run defeat on Sunday, has left the Redbacks scratching their heads.

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Source: AAP


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South Australia captain Travis Head says his side are not doing anything differently despite two costly defeats.

On Sunday, South Australia slipped to a 124-run defeat against Victoria at Adelaide Oval despite bowling out the Bushrangers on day one for a modest 204.

The result puts the Bushrangers in the box seat at the top of the Sheffield Shield ladder.

The Redbacks' batting again let them down again on Sunday, out for 188, the third innings in a row they had failed to reach 200.

It was a second home defeat in little more than a week for the Redbacks who also lost unexpectedly against Western Australia.

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Prior to the mid-season break, South Australia had won three of their five matches, holding a strong grip on second and within touching distance of the Bushrangers.

SA skipper Head, who has spent the past month with the Australian team, was at a loss to adequately explain the dip in form

"I have been away for a month and I chatted to a lot of the guys, and their thoughts and processes are the same," he said.

"Everyone has got their minds exactly as they did before Christmas, and it is just one of those things that we are not playing as well as we could be.

"In the last two games bowlers have been bowling quite well, but unfortunately we are not just getting the job done with the bat."

The Redbacks face Queensland next where a third straight loss could relegate South Australia to fourth.

Victoria commenced day three at 3-198 and extended their tally to 306, with Aaron Finch top-scoring with 71.

Chasing 313 for victory, the second-placed Redbacks were never in the hunt after being reduced to 3-15.

The only notable resistance came from Head on 47, wicketkeeper Alex Carey with 36 and some big-hitting from tailender Kane Richardson to get to 41.

The match will likely be most remembered for the nasty head injury suffered by Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper while standing up to the stumps on Saturday, with the 20-year-old spending a night in hospital.

In accordance with competition rules, SA declined to allow a replacement for the stricken Victorian.

Head defended the decision, but suggested the rule could be reviewed.

"As a group, with no concussion rule (in place), we came to the decision that it wasn't going to be allowed and, rightly or wrongly, that is the way we went," Head said.

"It was definitely a tough decision, but we had a process of getting to that decision, and the group is 100 percent behind that.

"Going on this season with the amount of concussions, that (rule) is probably something that needs to be looked into."


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