Former fast bowler Ryan Harris has been appointed the new head coach of the South Australia men’s cricket team. He will replace Jason Gillespie, who has become the head coach of Pakistan’s red ball team.

Sixteen years after leaving South Australia for Queensland, Ryan Harris returns to lead his home state team. Ryan Harris has been leading the team in an interim capacity for the last few months and will immediately take over full-time once pre-season begins.

Also, there is no news yet on who will become the BBL head coach of the Adelaide Strikers, a role that Gillespie also held. According to reports, former Australia captain Tim Paine has shown interest in the Strikers role, if it happens. Now as head coach, he will oversee the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup teams.

How Ryan Harris is feeling after returning to South Australia

“I am thrilled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of South Australia, where I began my first-class playing journey more than 20 years ago,” Harris said.

“Having worked closely with the players over the summer last year and during current pre-season training, I know what this squad is capable of and I can’t wait to build on the positive steps we have made last year.”

“Under the leadership of new captain Nathan McSweeney, there is a sense of confidence in the squad and we will work hard to ensure we move forward rapidly with the new season.”

Notably, South Australia finished fifth in the Sheffield Shield last season; furthermore, they finished fourth in 2022-23. Talking about Harris, the former cricketer started with coaching, his stint beginning with the Australia men’s Under-19 team in the 2018 and 2020 World Cups. He has also worked with Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals in the IPL, as well as working as a consultant with the men’s team while Justin Langer was the coach.