The reigning KFC Big Bash League champions are without a head coach, after Andrew McDonald on Thursday stepped down to take up an assistant coaching position with the Australian national team.
Heat land Harris as search begins for new 'Gades coach
The departure came on the same day as the Brisbane Heat further bolstered their off-field stocks by adding former Australian paceman Ryan Harris to assist Darren Lehmann.
McDonald had added a vast array of Big Bash experience to the Renegades ranks. Prior to joining the Melbourne team as coach in 2016, the allrounder had played for the Renegades (BBL|01), Adelaide Strikers (BBL|02 – BBL|03) and Sydney Thunder (BBL|04 – BBL|06)..
Image Id: A85C242F6ED14505BCDEEEC8338CF8EE Image Caption: The BBL evolution of Andrew 'Ronnie' McDonald // Getty & AAP
The 38-year-old also held coaching positions at Victoria and Leicestershire and this year signed to take over at the Rajasthan Royals in India and the Birmingham Phoenix in the UK.
Current Renegades captain Aaron Finch believes the McDonald leaves the reigning champions in a strong position.
“Ronnie knows how to create a great environment for players to perform at their best,” Finch said.
“He’ll be a great asset to the national team and he’s also helped lay the foundations for sustained future success at the Renegades.”
After three years as our coach, Andrew McDonald has accepted the senior assistant coaching role with the Australian Men’s Team – https://t.co/365dVsIDnw Thanks for everything, Ronnie – always a Renegade #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/vJxIjNYStF
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) October 31, 2019
The coaching vacancy at the Renegades means three of the eight BBL teams will enter the upcoming season with a new leader.
In Brisbane, Darren Lehmann has wasted no time applying his own touches to the Heat’s on and off-field profiles.
The Heat have more international players signed than any other Big Bash side, with AB de Villiers (South Africa), Tom Banton (England) and Zahir Khan (Afghanistan) all joining the returning Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Their coaching is equally organised, with Ryan Harris linking up with Lehmann and fellow assistant coach James Hopes.
All three were key members of the Brisbane Heat’s BBL|02 title.
Image Id: 2396FEE390BF436ABD2B535C0CE98CF3 Image Caption: The victorious Brisbane Heat after defeating the Perth Scorchers in the BBL|02 final // Getty
“We used Ryan as a bowling mentor early in the BBL when he was returning from injury,” Lehmann said on Thursday.
“He was one of the most talented players I had ever seen.”
Harris is also the coach of the Australian U19 national team, which will compete in the U19 World Cup in South Africa in early 2020.
On joining the Heat, Harris said his appointment “is another great chance for me to improve my coaching with ‘Boof’ and “get ready to work with some of the country’s most talented young players.”
Welcome back Rhino 🤗@r_harris413 is back in teal as an assistant coach!
— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) October 30, 2019
Details 👉 https://t.co/iPtwjt3DLm#BringTheHeat #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/znnUMEcmUT
BBL|09 COACHES
Adelaide Strikers: Jason Gillespie
Brisbane Heat: Darren Lehmann (replacing Daniel Vettori)
Hobart Hurricanes: Adam Griffith
Melbourne Renegades: Vacant (replacing Andrew McDonald)
Melbourne Stars: David Hussey (replacing Stephen Fleming)
Perth Scorchers: Adam Voges
Sydney Sixers: Greg Shipperd
Sydney Thunder: Shane Bond