Western Australia coach Justin Langer says South Australia’s selection of paceman Chadd Sayers is a big risk for the season-defining Sheffield Shield game starting on Thursday.

The competition’s leading wicket-taker will play a fortnight after suffering a side strain.

SA coach Darren Berry says Sayers has been cleared by medicos but Langer reckons the fast bowler’s selection is still a gamble.

“Chadd Sayers … it’s a big risk they’re going to take, but I guess they’re willing to take that risk in this game,” Langer told AAP on Wednesday.

Sayers’ inclusion evidences the high stakes of the Adelaide Oval encounter.

With two games remaining, Victoria head the ladder with 28 points followed by SA (24), Queensland (22), WA (20), Tasmania (18) and NSW (17).

Langer’s Warriors remain in contention for the final after two remarkable outright wins last month.

WA were bowled out for 97 in their first innings yet still downed Tasmania in their last game, just weeks after beating Queensland despite being bowled out for 111 in their first dig.

“Confidence is an amazing thing. You can’t buy it on a shelf, you have got to earn confidence and the wins are a huge morale booster,” Langer said.

“Particularly for our young guys who did the lion’s share of the work. But it’s also a boost for the older blokes because they see what they have got to play with now, it provides good energy and enthusiasm and a lot of fun in the dressing room.”

Langer said there were no secrets to the turnaround.

“What I know from 20 years of cricket is there is no magic formula,” he said.

“If you work hard and you get the right people … you get results.

“We have won a few games in all forms and guys can buy into that un-magic formula, working hard and getting the right people.”

Teams:

SA: Johan Botha (capt), Jake Brown, Alex Carey, Callum Ferguson, Peter George, Travis Head, Michael Klinger, Tim Ludeman, Sam Miller, Joe Mennie, Sam Raphael, Chadd Sayers, Carl Tietjens (12th man to be named, one to be omitted).

WA: Adam Voges (capt), Michael Hussey, Liam Davis, Sam Whiteman, Mitch Marsh, Marcus Harris, Ashton Agar, John Rogers, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Michael Hogan, Burt Cockley, Jason Behrendorff (12th man to be named).