South Australia has named Ryan Harris as their new men’s head coach, taking over the role from Jason Gillespie, who left earlier this year.
Harris, who started his playing career with the state, has led the men’s program on an interim basis for the past few months while they recruited for the position. He will now take over as head coach full-time as the pre-season ramps up.
It has yet to be confirmed who will become Adelaide Strikers’ BBL coach (Gillespie held both positions) but it’s understood splitting the job has become increasingly likely. Tim Paine has previously confirmed his interest in the Strikers’ role should that be the case.
“I’m thrilled and honored to become the Head Coach of South Australia, where I started my first-class playing career over 20 years ago,” Harris said. “After working closely with the team last summer and throughout our current pre-season training, I understand the squad’s potential and eagerly anticipate getting started. I’m excited to build on the progress we made last year.”
“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.”
South Australia finished fifth in the Sheffield Shield last season after a fourth place in 2022-23 which followed five consecutive wooden spoons. They were bottom in the Marsh Cup after reaching the final the previous season.
There is a chance they will see more of internationals Travis Head and Alex Carey early in the Sheffield Shield window during October.
Harris’ Coaching Background and Previous Roles
After retiring, Harris moved into coaching with the Australia men’s under-19 team at the 2018 and 2020 World Cups and has also worked in the IPL with Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals. He also had stints as a consultant with the men’s team while Justin Langer was coach.
“In 2021, Queensland Cricket appointed him as their pathway manager. He applied for the role of head coach of Australia Women after Matthew Mott’s departure, following a brief stint as bowling coach during a tour of New Zealand. Although he did not get the position, he returned to South Australia to take up the role of their bowling coach.”
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