Redbacks happy to claim underdog status

South Australia are determined to claim underdog status for tomorrow's Matador BBQs One-Day Cup elimination final, despite having defeated Victoria during the pool stage of the tournament.

West End Redbacks batsman Tom Cooper said while South Australia's improved results this year –including their 17-run win over the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers – had given the team a confidence boost, he still expected Victoria to head in to the final as favourites.

"We've under-performed in the past couple of years," Cooper said.

"We've had higher expectations than that and it's been very disappointing, so to be able to show that we are a pretty good team is quite nice.

"(But) we'll go into the finals as underdogs and hopefully pull off an upset.

"They've got nine or 10 blokes who have represented Australia, so I guess all the pressure is on them."

Watch: Cooper's impressive knock

Cooper said a complete performance would be needed to knock off Victoria, who boast internationals Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch, Matthew Wade and James Pattinson in their line-up and who are coming off an upset win over NSW, who advanced directly to Sunday's final as the competition's top-placed team.

"Going up against a team like that, they're a very good team," said Cooper. "We've got to come out and put a full game together, then you never know (what will happen)."

The Redbacks squad, boasting just two players with international experience, were expected to struggle in Sydney against powerful state rivals who have been boosted by the return of their Test stars.

Quick single: Redbacks spin way to elimination final

They had won just two matches in their past two seasons of 50-over cricket, and finished last in five of the past six Sheffield Shield campaigns.

Even coach Jamie Siddons remarked prior to the start of the tournament that a top-five finish may be realistic in his first Matador Cup campaign.

But the Redbacks' campaign got off to a flying start thanks to a remarkable run chase against Western Australia, highlighted by a double century to young skipper Travis Head.

And despite heavy losses to NSW and Tasmania, they have far exceeded expectations, something spinner Tom Andrews believes will aid South Australia in their bid to book a place opposite the Blues in Sunday's final.

"Obviously we haven't been in finals for a couple of years now, so beating a couple of good teams and winning four games has given us a lot of confidence," said Andrews, who took four wickets against the CA XI on Wednesday.

"Beating (Victoria) last time is going to give us a lot more confidence going into the game, but they knocked off NSW the other day so obviously they're really good, but we are confident still."

Watch: Andrew's bag of four

Meanwhile, fellow spinner Adam Zampa believes the Redbacks will have at least one thing in their favour at Drummoyne Oval on Friday.

"We've seen in these conditions, they don't really suit Victoria's batters as much.

"If we can put them under pressure, get the ball reverse swing and things like that, then it will be a tough, good game."

Victorian selectors face a poser as Maxwell's replacement Marcus Stoinis scoring a maiden century on Tuesday against Tasmania.

Victorian batsman Peter Handscomb downplayed talk of favouritism.

"We know we didn't bat well against South Australia in that (previous) match, plain and simple," said Handscomb.

"Our batting since has started to come through a lot stronger, and we feel like we are really hitting our straps come finals time.

"Our bowlers have been executing our game plan perfectly, and we know that if the batters do well, we will be a very tough side to beat."