Butterworth his weight in gold for SA

South Australia have replaced Ireland-bound assistant Rob Cassell with three-time Sheffield Shield winner Luke Butterworth in the role as bowling coach.

Butterworth starred in a trio of first-class triumphs for the Tigers and captured 223 wickets in a career spanning 70 matches across eight seasons.

Following his retirement in season 2015-16, the 33-year left the Apple Isle and moved to the nation’s capital where he began his coaching journey.

He first started as a Pathway Manager at Cricket ACT before he stepped up as head coach of ACT/NSW Country U19’s and assistant coach for both the ACT Meteors and Comets.

The allrounder, who was crowned player of the match in the 2006-07 Pura Cup final for posting 106 and 66 with the bat and taking 4-33 with the ball, says he’s looking forward to working with the Redbacks’ talented bowling group. 

"I'm very excited for the new role and I think that I can bring in some good experience from my playing days and my coaching," Butterworth said.

"I've had 13 years in the first-class system and I've found the transition from player to coach relatively easy with a lot of good people around me.

"The bowling group is pretty set and they're not that old, and now we can really look to bring in the next crop of people if there are injuries or they are chosenfor higher honours, and we won't lose any firepower."

South Australia boast a fierce battery of fast bowlers, including international representatives Kane Richardson, Joe Mennie and Daniel Worrall, along with the Shield’s form paceman of the past few seasons Chadd Sayers.

Throw in Australia limited-overs spinner Adam Zampa and talented left-arm orthodox tweaker Tom Andrews, it’s clear to see why the Redbacks have made successive Sheffield Shield finals.

Former Australia head coach and current General Manager, Team Performance Tim Nielsen says Butterworth will work with both junior and senior squads while assisting head coach Jamie Siddons.

"I'm very excited for the new role and I think that I can bring in some good experience from my playing days and my coaching," Nielsen said.

"I've had 13 years in the first-class system and I've found the transition from player to coach relatively easy with a lot of good people around me.

"The bowling group is pretty set and they're not that old, and now we can really look to bring in the next crop of people if there are injuries or they are chosen for higher honours, and we won't lose any firepower."

Butterworth begins his new role on July 17.