The South Australian Cricket Association has announced that from the 2024/25 cricket season onwards, state representative teams will return to their historical name of ‘South Australia’.
Established in 1887 and 1931 respectively, the state teams adopted the monikers ‘West End Redbacks’ and ‘SA Scorpions’ in the mid-1990s as part of a nationwide rebrand of Australia’s domestic competitions. SACA is proud to return to the original team designations, which were worn when 20 of 24 titles were won across Men’s and Women’s cricket in SA.
SACA President Will Rayner announced the historic return at SACA’s annual Dansie McCauley Medal Night on Thursday.
“With more than 150 years of history and the largest and most passionate cricketing Member base in the world, we are thrilled to announce this return to our roots,” Mr Rayner said.
“This is a celebration of not just all that has come before, but all that is still to come as we move forward beneath the banner of South Australian cricket.
“As the biggest cricket Club in the world, it is a key vision of SACA that we are one inclusive Club with our teams, Members, fans and staff all welcome. This announcement is an important part of that vision.”
The new South Australia playing logo sees the return of gold into the state colour scheme, which has not featured as a standard colour since 1995. The Oval shape, inspired by classic Member pins of the past, represents SACA’s home at Adelaide Oval, with 1871, the year of SACA’s establishment included beneath.
Current South Australian stars Travis Head and Tahlia McGrath both welcomed the return to the State’s history.
“Every time I represent South Australia it is with great pride and I look forward to taking the field wearing our new logo,” Head said.
“Our State has a rich history and a unique place in the sporting world and this is a great opportunity to celebrate that while also looking to the future.”
“When I travel the world playing cricket, I love telling people that I play for South Australia,” McGrath said.
“To play for my home State is an honour and it is really exciting to take this opportunity to remember all that has come before us as we look to achieved sustained on-field success for South Australia in the coming years.”
Taking effect for the 2024/25 season, State teams will be known as South Australia Men and South Australia Women, with the new logo in pride of place on playing tops and off-field merchandise.