McAndrew’s Sheffield Shield Dominance Fuels Test Cricket Calls
Nathan McAndrew has been a revelation in the Sheffield Shield, and according to his coach, Ryan Harris, it’s high time the all-rounder gets a crack at the international stage. McAndrew was instrumental in South Australia clinching their second consecutive Sheffield Shield title, delivering a performance that showcased his prowess with both bat and ball.
The 32-year-old’s impact in the final was undeniable. He claimed crucial wickets, taking 3-71 and 3-50, and followed it up with a vital 60 in the third innings. This contribution, combined with Alex Carey’s century, proved to be the turning point in a hard-fought Shield final.
Harris, who has now coached South Australia to two Sheffield Shield victories, has consistently been impressed by McAndrew’s reliability and resilience. He believes the national selectors might be overlooking a player who has been performing at a high level for years.
“I think he probably should have already done it by now, to be honest, personally,” Harris stated. “The way he does it, he has niggles here and there and just gets through it. The amount of times he comes off and I am running to him to make sure he’s all right, sore this, sore that, but that’s just the bowling part.”
Despite the physical toll of fast bowling, McAndrew maintains a positive outlook, prioritising team success. “If you speak to him, I don’t think he’s too worried about it, he wants to keep winning here and, for me, that’s a great attitude to have,” Harris added.
While acknowledging the strength of Australia’s current Test bowling attack, Harris questioned whether McAndrew has been given a fair opportunity. “We have got some pretty good cricketers playing up in that Test team anyway, but should he have been given a chance? Maybe,” he mused. “I think he’s shown now for five years, four of those years he’s been the leading wicket-taker if not far off it and he’s pretty handy with some runs as we’ve seen.”
McAndrew’s wicket-taking ability is particularly noteworthy. In the recent final, all six of his dismissals were from Victoria’s top order, with four of those being left-handed batsmen. Liam Scott, a teammate who also played a significant role in South Australia’s successful Shield campaign, lauded McAndrew’s skill. “He is one of the best bowlers to left-handers in the country,” Scott commented.
McAndrew’s strong performance in the final cemented his position among the Sheffield Shield’s leading wicket-takers for the season, with an impressive haul of 38 wickets at an average of 23.42.
McAndrew’s Focus on Process, Not Selection
While coach Harris’s endorsement carries weight, McAndrew himself appears to have adopted a philosophy of focusing on his performance rather than fixating on selection. This shift in mindset seems to have been a conscious decision made when he moved from New South Wales to South Australia in 2021.
“I don’t really look into it, to be honest, I learned a lot about (selection) when I was back in New South Wales,” McAndrew revealed. “When I was at grade cricket level, aspiring to play for New South Wales, I put so much pressure on myself that every performance … I had to take a five-for every week because then maybe I’d get an opportunity or get on contract.”
He elaborated on this past pressure, explaining how it led him to overlook the fundamental aspects of his game. “You’re just always looking to that next level and ignoring the process, ignoring the day-to-day battles you’ve got to win.”
McAndrew feels he is bowling at the peak of his powers, despite facing personal challenges this year, including vertigo which disrupted his rhythm for the first half of the season.
“I feel like I am bowling as well as I ever have at times, even with some of the challenges I have had this year with vertigo affecting my rhythm for the first half of the year,” he said. “Since Christmas I have got back to my best and am really proud of that, to be honest, it’s been a tough year with some things.”
Looking ahead to the possibility of international selection, McAndrew remains pragmatic. He acknowledges the formidable strength of Australia’s current pace bowling quartet, which includes some of the world’s best.
“I don’t really know what will ever happen with the next level, at the end of the day there’s three pretty amazing quicks plus Scotty Boland,” McAndrew stated. “No matter how well I bowl, I am not taking any of their spots, I am not that stupid. Injuries have got to happen for me to get an opportunity, all I can do is keep bowling to the best of my ability.”
This mature approach, coupled with his consistent performances in the Sheffield Shield, suggests that Nathan McAndrew is not only ready for a higher level of cricket but is also equipped with the mental fortitude to handle the pressures that come with it. His focus remains firmly on contributing to his team’s success, a mindset that has served him well and may yet see him earn a baggy green.
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