Rejuvenated Harris steps out in new role

The transition of Ryan Harris from Australian cricket's leading fast-bowler to one of its most exciting young coaches has taken less than three months.

Harris, whose stellar career was cut short by injury in July on the eve of the Ashes, is currently in Brisbane for the Australian Under-17 championships, which will run until October 8.

While the 35-year-old's official role over the coming weeks is that of a spectator, the championships will act as reconnaissance for his first official post-playing coaching job.

Harris will take the reins of the U17 Cricket Australia XI, essentially the best of the best from the current two-week tournament, who will play in the Under-19 championships in January.

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Harris in action in Kent in June; he retired after the match // Getty

After two months away from cricket, a rare break following a career that began at the turn of the century, Harris has welcomed the chance to be involved in the game once again.

"Since I've been home (from the UK) and had the operation on my (injured) knee I haven't been watching any cricket at all," he said.

"For me it's good to come out and see these guys and get to know these guys and who I'm going to be coaching in the Under-19 championships.

"(Being involved in cricket) is what I want to do. I want to stay involved, so for me to get out here wasn't hard at all.

"It's good to be able to come out and look at things in a different way, in a coaching way and look at different techniques and different guys, the way they play.

"It's a very exciting time for me."

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Harris celebrates his Australia A role in June 2014 // Getty

Harris had 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.

The former fast-bowler also acted as a bowling mentor with the Brisbane Heat under the watch of current Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann.

And fellow Ashes retirees Brad Haddin and Chris Rogers are expected to join him in the coaching ranks in their post-playing days.

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Haddin worked with Nevill through the Ashes tour // Getty

Earlier this month, Lehmann said Haddin would do some coaching work with the NSW Blues and would also be involved at Australian Under-19 and Under-17 level. He also flagged the possibility that the former Test wicketkeeper could take up a role with the senior men's team.

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Rogers has also stated his intention to move into coaching, with his former state coach Greg Shipperd and long-time teammate David Hussey both lauding the 38-year-old's potential as a coach.

Lehmann says he wants to keep highly-credentialed former players involved with 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.

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

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Rogers with Australia batting coach Michael Di Venuto // Getty

"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.

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"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 said enjoyment and fun will be major factors in his coaching style, as it did during his playing career.

And he welcomed the chance to be involved at under-age level, which he says is a crucial platform for the next generation of cricketers.

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Harris made his List A debut as a 21-year-old in 2000 // Getty

"There's some good cricketers around. I know that, I've been told that," he said.

"It's just a matter of me trying to get to know some of the kids and put some faces to names and have a look.

"I'm not picking the team that I will be coaching (at the Under-19 Championships) but it's nice to know who I'm going to be coaching.

"(Under-age championships) is how we all start. That's how I started (and) that's how a lot of guys that I played in the Australian cricket team with started.

"You're playing against the best in your age group from around the country.

"Obviously if you perform well here you get recognised and you go through the pathways to hopefully play for Australia one day.

"So it all begins here and that's the best thing about it. You've got some pretty good players here representing each state so it's pretty exciting."