Australia appoint Ryan Harris as bowling coach for South Africa tour
Sep 2, 2016 at 11:58 AM
Former Australian pacer Ryan Harris has been roped in by the Australian team as its bowling coach for the upcoming One-Day International tour of South Africa. The right -arm pacer will work alongside head coach Darren Lehmann and newly appointed Assistant Coach David Saker.
The retired pacer said that it will be a good opportunity for him to learn the basics of coaching . However, coaching is not new for the 36-year old. He served as the Under-19 Cricket Australia XI coach last season and is currently assistant coach of the National Performance Squad in the A-team quadrangular series in Australia.
“It’s a great experience to learn from David Saker and Darren Lehmann,” Harris said of the appointment. “I’m really just going to sit back and watch and learn.”
“Eventually, I’d like to work my way to the top and become a bowling coach of the Australian team one day,” Harris said. “Just like playing, you have to earn your stripes and learn the ropes.”
Lehmann welcomed the appointment of Harris and said: “I’m excited to have Ryan on board. A player and person of his calibre will no doubt offer strengths to our national side.
“It’s a win-win having two experienced coaches in Ryan and David Saker being able to nurture our young group, particularly the up-and-coming bowlers joining, and we expect a positive response both on and off the field.”
Making his Test debut in 2010, Harris represented Australia in 27 Tests before retiring in 2015 due to injury problems. He took 113 Test wickets. In ODIs he took 44 wickets in 21 matches.
Australia’s tour of South Africa will start on September 27. The reigning world champions are scheduled to play a one-off ODI against Ireland and a five-match series against the hosts.