South Australia were left battling for survival at tea on day four of their Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

Chasing an unlikely 355 for victory, the Redbacks were 6-203 at the break on Thursday, with Travis Head unbeaten on 68 and captain Johan Botha on four.

South Australia’s big guns Phil Hughes (26), Callum Ferguson (14), Michael Klinger (56) and Dan Christian (4) have already been dismissed, with WA well on track for their first outright victory of the season.

Klinger looked in ominous touch before being given out caught behind off the bowling of Nathan Coulter-Nile (2-63).

The former Victorian wasn’t happy with the decision, and momentarily stood his ground while giving the umpire a glare.

Klinger is toeing a fine line after being fined 50 per cent of his match fee for dissent in his team’s narrow Shield win over Tasmania earlier this month.

Ferguson was also left disappointed by an umpiring decision after being given run-out following a direct hit from Michael Hogan at fine leg.