Harris joins BBL coaching ranks

Ryan Harris will continue his transition into the coaching ranks by joining the backroom staff of the Brisbane Heat for the upcoming KFC Big Bash League season.

The former Test fast-bowler, who retired from cricket in July, was on Friday announced as a Coaching Mentor for the Heat this summer.

Joining Harris on the Heat's coaching staff will be former New Zealand coach and current Ireland coach John Bracewell, the uncle of current Black Caps quick Doug, who will work with the Heat as part of a T20 professional development opportunity.

Bracewell adds to the strong Kiwi flavour at the Heat for BBL|05, led by head coach Daniel Vettori, assistant Shane Bond and import Brendon McCullum.

It is the second time Harris has held a mentoring role at the Heat, having previously acted as a bowling mentor under the watch of former Heat coach and current Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann

"Queensland Cricket continually aims to produce Australia’s best players and challenge for trophies across all formats, so it is a great opportunity for our Brisbane Heat playing group to be working with Ryan Harris, who has an outstanding coaching and playing pedigree,” said Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Geoff Cockerill.

Harris flagged his intention to pursue a coaching career long before his playing days ended, and Cricket Australia have helped to fast-track his progression.

He was handed the role of an assistant coach with Australia A last winter during his recovery from major knee surgery, an opportunity he concedes he was fortunate to get given his inexperience as a coach.

He will take on his first full-time coaching role early next year when he leads the U17 Cricket Australia XI, essentially the best of the best from the U17 Championships earlier this year, in the U19 championships in January.

Harris's fellow Ashes retirees Brad Haddin and Chris Rogers are expected to follow him into the coaching ranks, with CA actively seeking to keep their former greats in the game.

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Haddin took on a coaching role with the NSW Blues in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup in October, with Lehmann expressing CA's desire to keep the likes of Haddin involved in Australian cricket.

"We can’t afford to lose those blokes to the game," Lehmann said of Haddin in an interview with Adelaide radio station FIVEaa in September.

"We need him to pass on the knowledge to the next generation which will stand them in good stead.

"It’s a great stage for him to move forward with the next stage of his life and career.

"I got a couple of really good messages from him when we were away and he’s going to move to the next phase of his life, (but) we’re going to try to keep him involved.

"We think he’s a really important part of what we started and we love how he goes about it and what he does.

"We want him to pass on that knowledge to the younger kids."

Harris joins a new-look coaching group that has been charged with reversing the Heat's fortunes after a disappointing campaign in BBL|04, when they won just two matches and finished bottom of the ladder.

Their playing roster has been boosted by the signings of international stars McCullum and Samuel Badree, while veteran allrounder James Hopes will play on for another season.

The Heat will get their BBL|05 campaign underway on Saturday December 19 against the Melbourne Renegades at the Gabba.

Brisbane Heat BBL|05 squad
Samuel Badree (international), Nick Buchanan, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Andrew Fekete, Peter Forrest, James Hopes, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (international) Jimmy Peirson, Nathan Reardon, Mark Steketee.