Harris, Elliott set for new coaching roles

Australia’s brightest young talent is set to benefit from the knowledge of a couple former Australia Test players with Ryan Harris and Matthew Elliott appointed as high performance coaches at the Bupa National Cricket Centre.

Cricket Australia today said the pair, who played 46 Tests between them, had beaten out 40 applicants for the positions in Brisbane, where they’ll help develop Australia’s best young prospects.

Harris and Elliott replace former high performance coach Graeme Hick, who last year was appointed the Australia men’s team’s batting coach. The second role is newly-created.

Their first assignment will be to take the reins of Australia’s Under-19s side in a home series against Sri Lanka in March, while both will be involved in the National Performance Squad program from April and Cricket Australia XI youth squads.

Harris will oversee the pace-bowling aspects of the programs while Elliott will run the batting elements.

“We have undertaken a thorough process to find the best coaches to mentor Australia’s emerging talent,” said CA’s Executive General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard of the appointments.

“Both have come through the Cricket Australia coaching pathway, being involved in underage national championships, and have a strong understanding of the challenges that lie ahead in developing Australian cricketers to be ready for first-class and international cricket.

“Ryan and Matthew join what is already an experienced and highly credentialed coaching team at the National Cricket Centre, led by Troy Cooley."

Harris, who took 113 wickets at 23.52 in his 27-Test career, has undertaken a number of assignments with the senior national side and national underage teams since he retired from international cricket in 2015.

The 37-year-old most recently joined Australia’s coaching staff during the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series in New Zealand in January and February.

Elliott, who scored three centuries in 21 Tests and 47 hundreds in first-class cricket in a decorated domestic career, has had coaching roles with Victoria’s underage sides.

The former opener has been working as a batting consultant and youth coach with Cricket Victoria, while he’s also coached Victoria Country at the past two Under 17 National Championships.

Harris and Elliott will begin their new roles next month and are contracted through until 2020.