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Former Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris was named the new head coach of South Australia’s men’s cricket team on Tuesday, August 6. Harris takes over from Jason Gillespie, who left to become the head coach of Pakistan’s red-ball team.
A former South Australia player, Harris has been serving as the interim head coach for several months. His official appointment arrives as the team prepares for the pre-season and continues with its men’s program.
Ryan Harris Embarks on New Chapter as Head Coach of South Australia
Ryan Harris’s appointment as South Australia’s head coach represents a significant shift for the team following Jason Gillespie’s departure earlier this year, reintroducing a familiar face into the leadership role. Meanwhile, the search for Gillespie’s successor as Adelaide Strikers’ head coach is still ongoing.
There is speculation that the roles might be divided, with Harris focusing on South Australia’s head coach position while Tim Paine, the former Australian Test captain, has shown interest in the Adelaide Strikers’ role. Paine has indicated that he would be enthusiastic about coaching the Strikers if the opportunity arises.
Reflecting on his new role, Harris expressed his excitement and honor at returning to South Australia, where his first-class career began over two decades ago. Having previously worked with the state team, he is eager to continue building on the progress made last season.
I’m thrilled and honored to be appointed Head Coach of South Australia: Ryan Harris
Ryan Harris said in an official statement: “I’m thrilled and honored to be appointed Head Coach of South Australia, where I began my first-class playing journey more than 20 years ago. Having worked closely with the team last summer and during our current pre-season training, I know what this squad is capable of and can’t wait to get started and build on the positive steps we saw last year.
The new head coach added, “Under new captain Nathan McSweeney, there is a real sense of self-belief among the group, and we’ll be working hard to ensure we hit the ground running with the new season rapidly approaching.”
Harris’ coaching career in brief
Following his retirement in 2015, Ryan Harris began his coaching career with the Australia men’s under-19 team during the 2018 and 2020 World Cups. He gained further experience working with Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals in the IPL and served as a consultant for the Australian cricket team under then-head coach Justin Langer.
In 2021, Harris became Queensland Cricket’s pathway manager and applied for the head coach role of the Australian women’s team after Matthew Mott’s departure, though he was not selected. Subsequently, he returned to South Australia as their bowling coach.
Last season, South Australia improved significantly, finishing fifth in the Sheffield Shield after a fourth-place finish in 2022-23, marking a recovery from five consecutive bottom-place finishes. However, they ended up last in the Marsh Cup after reaching the final the previous year.
