Do-or-die Redbacks tackle SCG hoodoo SOUTH Australia must defy a disconcerting away record against New South Wales to clinch a first Sheffield Shield final berth since its last title 17 years ago. All teams can make or host the Sheffield Shield final - or finish bottom - in the most enthralling finish to a season in memory. The second-placed Redbacks - on 26 points behind Victoria with 28 - will seal a final berth with victory in the clash starting today against a bottom-ranked and depleted Blues line-up (23). However, Johan Botha's Redbacks will venture to the SCG having won just once away against the Blues since their last Shield title in 1995-96. SA has endured no less than seven defeats - four by an innings - in that period at the SCG. "I can never remember an end to the season where the sixth-placed side could actually host the final, every side can make it and host which shows how close the season is, which is good for cricket," said coach Darren Berry, with SA lifting after finishing last for three straight seasons. I intend to come home with 32 points, which is a significant improvement. Berry said the side was focusing on its four wins over the past six games rather then the nail-biting one-wicket loss to Western Australia on Sunday and permutations entering the final round. "We have to go to Sydney and continue to play the same brand of cricket the message is don't get carried away with the scoreboard," Berry said. As revealed in The Advertiser on Monday, SA added left-armer Gary Putland, former Test paceman Peter George and leg-spinner Cullen Bailey to a 13-man squad that left for Sydney yesterday. Premier Shield wicket-taker Chadd Sayers has 42 wickets in eight matches and off-sider Joe Mennie 33 in six starts. The duo sent down a combined 84.3 overs against the Warriors making it a tall order to back up in four days. Putland will feature in his first Shield game since November if passed fit by medicos. George could figure if Sayers or Mennie fail to come up or an unusually green SCG strip is served up today. "It is no secret that Mennie and Sayers have given a lion-hearted effort," Berry said. We are hearing it could be a green seamer, so we have the coverage of four fast bowlers. The Redbacks' cause will be enhanced by the absence of Test keeper-batsman Brad Haddin called up as cover for injured Matthew Wade and a team ravaged by suspension to Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, James Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson. "In the last game Brad Haddin said he had never seen a South Australian side so disciplined and committed, which was a big call I thought," Berry said. He won't be there and we think we have a pretty good side to tackle New South Wales.