Former Australia cricketer Ryan Harris has finally joined the Delhi Capitals' (DC) support staff as a bowling coach at the practice ahead of the upcoming 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 after arriving United Arab Emirates (UAE) last week.
The bowling coach has on Thursday (September 3) opened up about the DC players' current status having overseen a couple of nets sessions with the franchise in Dubai after completing the mandatory six-day quarantine in the UAE.
Harris was highly impressed with the pace at which the players are getting back into the groove after months of inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is looking forward to working with the Delhi’s dynamic bowling attack during the IPL 2020 starting on 19th September.
In a team statement, Harris said: “I know that the boys haven’t been able to train in the past few months due to the pandemic, but watching them bat and bowl, and seeing some shots flying over the fence, I’ve been impressed with them.”
He further added, “Their work ethic is unbelievable and they seem in very good space for guys who haven’t done a lot of training – they look in excellent condition.”
On his six days in isolation, Harris pointed out: “Honestly, six days isn’t a lot, but it felt like three weeks for me because I am not someone who can sit still for very long. But when I got the message this morning from the doctor, saying I’ve cleared my quarantine and my tests, that was probably the best message I’ve ever got (laughs). Then to obviously watch the boys' train has been fantastic.”
He was also delighted to be able to again work with his former teammate Ricky Ponting, head coach of the Delhi Capitals, saying: “I still get goosebumps seeing him talk in the huddle. He’s a guy who presented me with my baggy green cap, and even my one-day cap for Australia.”
Harris added, “I’m very lucky for him to have asked me to come here to be part of this project, and to work with him is very satisfying for me, and very humbling experience. I’ve been coaching for a few years now, but there’s still so much to learn, and I think there’s no better person to do it with than Ricky.”
The Aussie also has a message for his bowlers ahead of a tough season, saying: “For me, today (Wednesday) was just a session to get to know them better – to see what their plans are with the ball. The nitty-gritty stuff will come in a week or two when we sit down and do proper planning, but what I saw and what I hear is so good and so simple.”
Harris signed off by saying, “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Delhi Capitals. I’ve admired the way that Delhi has played over the last few years. I’ve spent a fair bit of time in the IPL, both playing and as a coach with Punjab. It’s nice to be a part of a big franchise like the Delhi Capitals.”
(With PTI Inputs)
