Nathan Hauritz named Ireland spin bowling coach

Ireland have announced the appointment Nathan Hauritz, the former Australia spinner, as their spin bowling coach.

Hauritz, 40, took 128 wickets for Australia, playing all three formats in a nine-year international career. He retired from the game in 2016, and has been coaching with Brisbane Heat in the BBL and women's team Queensland Fire since 2020.

He is due to join up with Ireland in August, subject to a work permit being issued. As part of the role, he will work with the senior men's and women's squads, as well as players in the pathway system.

"The opportunity was too good to not even think about," Hauritz said. "I love discussing spin bowling from all facets, and to be able to do that in an international environment while travelling the world, how could you not want to do it.

"My particular interest as a coach is the tactical and mental side of spin bowling. When you play at the top level of cricket your game is generally in a pretty sound space, but more often than not it comes down to how you perform on the day that needs the most work. I believe my career and experience will help me communicate with, and support the development of, our current groups of spinners. It's an incredibly exciting time to be part of cricket in Ireland."

Hauritz was one of a number of spinners picked to try and fill the void left by Shane Warne in the Australia Test team, featuring in the 2009 Ashes and taking his maiden five-for against Pakistan later that year. He had a longer run in the ODI team, for whom he played against Ireland in 2010.

"I fondly remember playing a tour game for Australia against Ireland at Clontarf back in 2010," Hauritz said. "We were actually in a spot of bother in that game - we were under the pump early from the Irish openers. I was lucky enough to take a couple wickets and we won the game. But the main thing that sticks in my mind was that it was an amazing atmosphere."

Hauritz represented both Queensland and New South Wales in first-class and List A cricket, as well as featuring for Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash.

Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland's high performance director, said: "We're delighted that Nathan will be joining the high performance staff and look forward to getting him over here to start working with our spin groups. Filling this role now completes our elite coaching restructure and provides what we believe is a great coaching and support team around our performance squads.

"Not only will Nathan's skills and experience be invaluable to our spinners in both the men's and women's squads, but he will also be looking at the next generation coming through the pathway system."