Former Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris has been roped in to guide young pacers during the upcoming five-match one-day international series against South Africa, starting 27 September.
Harris, who retired from international cricket in 2015, will be joining head coach Darren Lehmann and assistant coach David Sarkar. Incidentally, Harris volunteered to help Lehman when Craig McDermott stepped down as assistant coach earlier this year. The right-arm pacer is now happy to assist Sarkar and learn the tricks of the trade from him.
"Saker is a guy I look at as someone I can learn so much off and he's had a lot of success. He knows the game and he's got some great ideas around the game. So to be able to spend time under him is going to be priceless for me to keep learning," Harris told cricket.com.au.
The 36-year-old was lethal in his heydays picking up 113 wickets in 27 Tests and 44 wickets in 21 ODIs. But his career was cut short due to recurring injuries and persistent knee problem.
Harris has now revealed his intentions of becoming the full-time bowling coach of Australia.
"Eventually I'd like to work my way to the top and become a bowling coach of the Australian team one day. Just like playing, you have to earn your stripes and learn the ropes," he was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
However, Harris' first assignment is not going to be an easy one. While pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been rested for the upcoming tour, James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile are not available for selection due to injuries.
With the absence of frontline pacers, Harris has to look for options from the second-string pace battery to help Australia fight against the hosts in bowler-friendly conditions. His stints with the Under19 Cricket Australia XI and the A-team is likely to help him find youngsters from the country's talent pool.
