SA cricket coach Ryan Harris’s plea to long-suffering cricket fans
South Australian cricket coach Ryan Harris has pleaded with long-suffering fans to support his team as the state tries to snap a 13-year trophy drought.
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Ryan Harris has called on South Aussie cricket fans to “put your money where your mouth is’’ and flock to Adelaide Oval on Saturday as SA zeros in on its first One-Day Cup in 13 years.
Harris, who has performed miracles in his first season as state coach, admitted he had long read damning social media posts about the state men’s team from long-suffering SA fans and now wants them to rally behind the side with some long-awaited silverware on the line.
SA, which will play Victoria in a day-night encounter at Adelaide Oval starting at 2.05pm, hasn’t won a One-Day Cup since 2011-12 while its last Sheffield Shield triumph was way back in 1995-96.
But it already has secured a Shield final spot this season with two rounds to play and is favourite to host the match.
“I read all the comments that go on Facebook and Instagram, I’m definitely a reader,’’ said Harris, a former Redback and star Australian Test paceman.
“I know we have been starved of success in this organisation and that our cricket fans have as well.
“I read a lot of that and the frustrations around certain things. They want to see us play finals and now we are playing in one, so hopefully they come out and support us.
“That’s the main thing now, to put your money where your mouth is and come down to watch. This is not just about us (players and coaches) but for everyone.
“It’s been well documented about the (long) time between One-Day and Shield trophies for us and we know deep down what it means to the cricket community (to break the drought), so we want to see as many people as we can get there and would love to have a crowd of 10,000-to-15,000.’’
SA has won three One-Day titles - in 1983-84, 1986-87 and 2011-12 (crowned champion after a famous tied final against Tasmania at Adelaide Oval) - and been runner-up seven times.
It lost its last final against Western Australia in Perth in 2022-23.
“That was my intention when I took over the job, to play for trophies,’’ Harris said.
“That (making finals) is a tick so far and we get a chance (to win one) on Saturday.’’
Harris, who has helped turn SA’s fortunes around by increasing training intensity said “it’s about training with purpose and making sure every individual has a process’’. However, selection for the final would be “really tough’’ because of the depth of talent at his disposal.
All-rounder Liam Scott will come into the side that lost a high-scoring thriller to Tasmania last Sunday (following Mitch Owen’s incredible 149 off 69 balls) after being rested because of a heavy workload, while star speedsters Nathan McAndrew and Brendan Doggett are also in line for a recall for a match expected to be played on a batter-friendly pitch.
Harris rates his fast bowling unit as the best in Australia outside of the national team.
“I’ve said to the boys that we are in February and have everyone available, which is an absolute credit to our medical staff,’’ he said.
“We have all of our bowlers on deck, so it will be really hard to pick what we think is our best attack.
“But one thing I’ve said all year is that we want selection to be hard because that makes us better.’’
Harris said breaking a title drought for SA would be “unreal for the group’’.
“We’re not there yet but a trophy would be great because the players have worked so hard to be in a position to challenge and would deserve every success that came their way,’’ he said.
Entry is free for SACA members while public tickets cost $10 for adults. Children aged under 18 are admitted free.
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