South Australia coach Jeff Vaughn has praised young captain Travis Head and Tom Cooper after strong performances with the bat rescued the Redbacks from a potentially disastrous first innings against Tasmania in their Sheffield Shield clash at Gliderol Stadium.

The Redbacks are 5-168 after removing the Tigers for 364 just before lunch and were made to bat a single over before the break but lost opener Kelvin Smith for a duck three balls in to the innings.

Mark Cosgrove followed with the very first ball of the middle session before Callum Ferguson became the third duck in the next over to leave SA at 3-2.

From that very low base, Head and Cooper combined for a partnership of 79 runs before the skipper was dismissed for 50.

“It certainly moved pretty quickly,” Vaughn said.

“We had to go in and face one over before lunch and Kelv Smith has just knicked off which often can happen in that situation and then to lose two really quick ones straight after lunch put us on the back foot.

“But I’m really pleased with the captain Travis Head and the way he batted. He really showed some maturity and some good leadership there.

“He put in a really good partnership there with Tom Cooper and (it was) clearly disappointing for the skipper to get out on 50.”

Cooper remains at the crease on 89 not out and will be joined on day three by wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman who has contributed 18 runs.

Cooper’s knock comes on the back of an 83-run haul against Western Australia last week.

Vaughn said Cooper has worked hard since the new year and has been rewarded for his efforts.

“Tom has certainly been really disciplined the way he’s gone about it this afternoon as well,” Vaughn said.

“He’s certainly worked his backside off in the last six weeks.

“I’ve probably been most impressed today with his discipline and desire and want to bat for a long period of time.

“So we’re just really hopeful that he can go on and certainly push on upwards and onwards tomorrow and make a really big score for his team.”

Tasmania’s best with the ball was Jackson Bird who took 2-32 including the wickets of Smith and Ferguson, while Andrew Fekete claimed the wicket of Cosgrove.

Ben Hilfenhaus has also been impressive, taking 1-2 from 16 overs.