Ryan Harris interested to take up as Australia's bowling coach

Former Australia pacer Ryan Harris has expressed his desire to take up the role of bowling coach with the national side. Harris, who retired last year ahead of the Ashes series in England, had indicated at taking take up a coaching or a consultant role post his playing career in the past.

“I think deep down if they asked me to do it tomorrow, I’d jump at it. But that’s something Darren and Pat Howard and the guys have to decide, Harris told cricket.com.au on Wednesday (March 2).

“There are obviously other guys who are doing a great job in state cricket as well who could get the opportunity. It’s definitely a goal for me to take over that position at some stage. It’s definitely something I want to do. I see (coaching) as similar to your playing career; you want to coach the best teams at the top level and that’s something I’m definitely aiming to do, absolutely.”

The 36-year-old says that he wants to work with his former coach Darren Lehmann again and acknowledged that he learnt a lot while playing under Lehmann.

“It’d huge to be able to work alongside him. I’ve learnt a lot off him in my playing career and most of (my) coaching off him as well. So it’d be great to be reunited with him … working in that environment he creates, Harris said.

Australia will be in search for a bowling coach after Craig McDermott decided to step down after this year’s World T20 in India. Harris also spoke about McDermot and described his contribution to the team.

“He’ll be missed, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. “He did a great job when I was there and Mitch Johnson was there and the guys that are there now are pretty close to him as well. So he’s definitely going to be missed.

“He’s a great person to have around that side and he’s made a great contribution to the success we’ve had in that side over the past four or five years.”