South Australian selectors have reacted savagely today to their team's recent poor form, dumping four players from the side which suffered an innings defeat at the hands of Tasmania in a Pura Cup match earlier this week.

Batsmen Ben Higgins, wicketkeeper Graham Manou, leg spinner Peter McIntyre and paceman Mark Harrity have all been omitted from the Redbacks' squad for the vital match against Western Australia starting in Perth on Wednesday.

They have been replaced by batsmen Shane Deitz and Daniel Harris, all-rounder Ryan Harris and fast bowler Paul Wilson. Deitz is also expected to assume the wicketkeeping duties in the absence of Manou.

It will be the first time that Manou has missed a match for South Australia for three seasons. Conversely, Wilson - who underwent knee surgery in October - is likely to appear in a first-class game for the first time this summer.

The Redbacks have dropped from second to fourth on the Pura Cup table as a result of their defeat to the Tigers, and are now in grave danger of failing to qualify for the Final of the competition.

They would need to collect maximum points in their match in Perth, and hope that Tasmania failed to secure an outright victory over New South Wales in Hobart, in order to reach the decider.

The full squad is: Greg Blewett (c), Nathan Adcock, Chris Davies, Shane Deitz, David Fitzgerald, Daniel Harris, Ryan Harris, Ben Johnson, Paul Rofe, Mike Smith, Paul Wilson, Brad Young.

© 2002 CricInfo Ltd