Refreshed Redbacks ready to chase success

After a summer of unbelievable personal tragedy, off-field turmoil and on-field disappointment, there was no team more relieved to get to the end of March than the West End Redbacks.

South Australia finished last in both the Sheffield Shield and Matador BBQs One-Day Cup last season, leading to a parting of ways between the SACA and their head coach Darren Berry.

This, of course, all paled in significance compared to the loss of their great mate Phillip Hughes.

Without a nationally-contracted player on their list, most of the South Australian players were afforded the opportunity to enjoy a well-earned break away from the game to refresh and reflect following the tumultuous summer.

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For Redbacks wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman, that meant a return home to the coastal town of Warrnambool in Victoria’s south-west for some valuable time with family and friends.

“It was a much-needed break after the season that was last year with everything that happened,” Ludeman told cricket.com.au on the eve of the new season.

“It was a good time to reflect on a lot of things and also freshen up, which was very much needed for not only myself but for a lot of people.”

Berry’s departure from the state marked the end of Ludeman’s second stint playing under the man many consider to have been one of the finest glovemen on the domestic scene in recent decades.

The duo first came together at the Carlton Cricket Club in Victorian Premier Cricket, before being reunited in South Australia where Ludeman has since established himself as one of the country’s best ‘keepers.

While the 28-year-old has embraced the appointment of Jamie Siddons as the new man in charge, Ludeman said he would continue to maintain a close relationship with Berry long into the future.

“That’s part of the world we live in,” Ludeman said of the coaching change.

“Changes are made and whether that’s players or coaches, it happens.

“I still keep in regular contact with Darren. We’re quite close from working together over the years.

“I still talk to Darren about wicketkeeping and the intricacies of it and that won’t change, but obviously Jamie has come on board and he’s been brilliant as well.

“What he’s brought to the group has really re-energised us and added a new dimension I think.”

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Ludeman bats during the 2014-15 Matador Cup // Getty Images

Ludeman doesn’t need to look too far for guidance in regards to his work behind the stumps with SACA High Performance Manager and former state gloveman, Tim Nielsen, proving to be a valuable source of advice.

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In terms of the on-field group, Ludeman is excited to see young skipper Travis Head leading from the front in his first full season as the state captain.

“He had a crack at it last year and did really well in tough circumstances,” the more experienced Ludeman said of his 21-year-old skipper.

“Obviously with everything that went on last year it was quite hard to step up.

“He’s had a good time to reflect in the off-season and work out the path that he wants to create for the group moving forward.

“We’ve got a young group and I think he’s the perfect man to lead us to success.”

Like Head – and fellow teammate Callum Ferguson – Ludeman is one of the Test hopefuls looking to push his case with a strong summer, which will start with next week’s Matador BBQs One-Day Cup.

But the wicketkeeper-batsman was quick to dismiss any added incentive for the trio in Redbacks red.

“Every time you walk out to represent your state you’ve got a point to prove, no doubt about that,” he said.

“Not only are you representing your state, but you’re also representing yourself as well so you want to put your best foot forward.

“That’s what we want, we want to produce Australian players and win titles.”

As well as the return of Siddons to the Redbacks system – he was captain for the state's last Shield title in 1995-96 – former paceman Jason Gillespie will guide the Adelaide Strikers in the KFC Big Bash League.

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The mastermind behind Yorkshire’s recent dominance of England country cricket, Gillespie will bring a new element to the South Australian structure as they aim to achieve some success after years of mediocrity.

“A lot of the states and BBL clubs have gone down that path of having the separate coaches and we’ve obviously decided to do the same thing,” Ludeman said.

“Sometimes the cricket season can drag out, so two separate voices in two different teams will keep the boys fresh and revitalised.”

As cricket readies for another big summer, you could argue there’s no team more excited to get to the start of October than the Redbacks.