Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris will join Darren Lehmann as part of the coaching staff

Recently retired duo of Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris will act as Support Staff coaching consultants during the three-match series against New Zealand in the absence of current assistants Graeme Hick and David Saker both of whom are heading to India early for Test preparation.

The duo will emphasise on fielding and bowling respectively. Head coach Darren Lehmann was excited with the prospect of working with the two former cricketers and feels that both will bring good insight to the team preparation.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to have ex-players of the calibre of Brad and Ryan on board for this tour and continue their involvement in Australian cricket,” Lehmann said.

“Both these guys have worked hard on their coaching since leaving the game and thoroughly deserve their opportunity. They will bring a great insight to the team and their appointment highlights some of the depth we have in Australia in the coaching pathway system.”

Haddin, who spent time as an assistant coach with Australia A through their winter series in Queensland, said he was looking forward to the prospect of re-joining the national side.

The 39-year-old former ‘keeper-batsman retired from international cricket during last year’s Ashes series in England and has been earning his coaching stripes with Cricket Australia since.

“It is going to be great to be back in Australian colours again, albeit as part of the coaching group. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Australia A in Townsville recently and am grateful that coaching has given me the opportunity to remain involved in cricket.

“Darren and I have always had a great working relationship so to be able to coach alongside him is something I am really looking forward to.”

Harris said was relishing the chance to work with the team again after his time with the squad during the Qantas Tour of South Africa, in which the tourists were thrashed 5-0 by the Proteas after introducing inexperienced pace trio Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain and Dan Worrall.

“South Africa was a great learning experience for me and it was fantastic to be back with the team again. Coaching is something I really enjoy and to be able to continue to be involved with the Australian team is something I can’t wait to be a part of again.”

Australia head across the Tasman next January to contest the Chappell-Hadlee trophy across three ODIs from January 30 to February 5.