COUNTRY PUT FIRST
CUP DUTIES FOR BRYANT:
AUSTRALIAN under-19 coach Ryan Harris has shot down any potential selection tug-of-war for Gold Coast cricket sensation Max Bryant, declaring international duties must come first.
The former Test paceman openly admitted Bryant was one of the first players picked in Australia’s squad for the under-19 World Cup next month in New Zealand.
The in-demand Tweed teenager is also on a full contract for the Brisbane Heat, who opened their Big Bash League season last night.
But despite the riches associated with the popular BBL Twenty20 tournament, Bryant has been left in no doubt about where his priorities should lie.
“International duties is international duties,” Harris said frankly.
“He is there (at the World Cup) for the full time.”
The Heat moved to cool any prospect of a simmering showdown, telling the Bulletin that Brisbane coach Daniel Vettori will work together with the national talent manager Greg Chappell.
Harris though said there was a window of opportunity for Bryant to make his Heat debut before their first game at the World Cup on January 14.
The opening batsman has bolted into the frame on the back of a breakout season, averaging 51 for the Dolphins in Queensland Premier Cricket plus producing a number of standouts knocks in the national under-19 championships and the JLT Cup.
Bryant’s big hitting is tailormade for the T20 arena. “The way he is batting at the moment you would think he would be half a chance,” Harris said.
“If you think about (Brendon) McCullum, Bryant and (Chris) Lynn at the top of the order for the Heat, it is pretty explosive.”
Harris urged Bryant to keep backing his natural attacking game.
“He just loves to hit the ball over the fence, which is a great thing to have,” he said.
“He just needs to learn how to bat. Obviously whacking them is good but at some stage he will need to learn how to defend a bit.
“But while he is at this age I think that it is crucial that you let him just hit the ball and he will work it out himself … he understands the game pretty well.”
Australia start their under-19 campaign against India.