McAndrew’s Test Cricket Credentials Touted by Coach Harris
South Australian Redbacks coach Ryan Harris is a vocal proponent of Nathan McAndrew’s potential, going as far as to suggest the all-rounder’s national call-up is not just deserved, but overdue. McAndrew was instrumental in South Australia securing their second consecutive Sheffield Shield title, delivering a standout performance with both bat and ball in the final.
The 32-year-old demonstrated his class by taking 3 wickets for 71 runs and 3 wickets for 50 runs in the match. Crucially, he also contributed a vital 60 runs in the third innings, a knock that, combined with Alex Carey’s century, proved decisive in swinging the momentum of the championship decider.
Coach Harris has consistently been impressed by McAndrew’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure. He believes the national selectors might be lagging in recognising the bowler’s sustained excellence. “To be perfectly honest, I think he probably should have already played Test cricket by now,” Harris stated, reflecting on his dual role as a Sheffield Shield-winning coach.
Harris highlighted McAndrew’s remarkable durability, noting his ability to push through minor injuries. “The way he operates, he’ll have niggles here and there, but he just gets through it,” Harris explained. “There are so many times he comes off the field, and I’m rushing over to check if he’s alright, complaining about this soreness or that ache. But that’s just the nature of bowling. If you speak to him, I don’t think he’s overly concerned about it; his focus is on continuing to win here, and that’s a fantastic attitude to have in my opinion.”
While acknowledging the strength of Australia’s current Test bowling attack, Harris questioned whether McAndrew has been given a fair opportunity. “We have some exceptionally good cricketers playing in that Test team already, but should he have been given a chance? Possibly,” he mused. “I think he’s been demonstrating his quality for five years now. For four of those years, he’s consistently been among the leading wicket-takers, if not at the very top, and as we’ve seen, he’s more than handy with the bat too.”
McAndrew’s impact in the final was undeniable, with all six of his wickets coming from Victoria’s top order, and four of those being left-handed batsmen. Liam Scott, another key contributor to South Australia’s successful Shield campaign, echoed the sentiment, calling McAndrew “one of the best bowlers to left-handers in the country.” The impressive performance in the final capped off another strong season for McAndrew, who finished as one of the leading wicket-takers in the Sheffield Shield with 38 wickets at an average of 23.42.
While coach Harris’s endorsement and the statistical evidence are compelling, McAndrew himself maintains a pragmatic approach, having learned to detach from the pursuit of specific outcomes. This mindset, perhaps a testament to his potential for adapting to the demands of Test cricket, saw him leave behind any lingering anxieties about selection when he moved from New South Wales to South Australia in 2021.
“Honestly, I don’t really dwell on it. I learned a great deal about the selection process when I was back in New South Wales,” McAndrew revealed.
He elaborated on his past experiences, stating, “When I was playing grade cricket, aspiring to represent New South Wales, I put an immense amount of pressure on myself. It felt like I had to take a five-wicket haul every single week to even be considered for an opportunity or a contract. You’re so focused on that next step that you end up neglecting the process, ignoring the day-to-day battles you need to win.”
McAndrew expressed confidence in his current form. “I feel like I’m bowling as well as I ever have at times, even with some of the challenges I faced this year, like vertigo affecting my rhythm for the first half of the season,” he said. “Since Christmas, I’ve managed to get back to my best, and I’m genuinely proud of that. It’s been a tough year with a few personal hurdles.”
Looking ahead, McAndrew remains realistic about his chances of breaking into the national side. “I don’t really know what the future holds regarding the next level. At the end of the day, there are three pretty exceptional fast bowlers in the squad, plus Scotty Boland,” he acknowledged. “No matter how well I bowl, I’m not going to displace any of them; I’m not that naive. Opportunities only arise through injuries, so all I can do is continue to bowl to the best of my ability.”
