AUSTRALIAN FAST-BOWLING LEGEND Brett Lee is ‘hoping to give something back to the sport’ after signing a short-term deal with Cricket Ireland ahead of the World Cup.

The 38-year-old retired from all forms of cricket last month following the conclusion of the Big Bash League and has taken his first steps on the coaching ladder by agreeing to aid Ireland’s preparations for their third World Cup.

Phil Simmons’ side are currently in Sydney for a week of intense training ahead of their Pool B opener against West Indies next Sunday.

Lee, who took almost 700 wickets during his career, joined up with the squad for the first time yesterday and was immediately impressed with the set-up.

“Even though I’ve moved on from playing, I still want to pass on what I’ve learnt from other fast-bowlers around the world whether that’s Allan Donald or Courtney Walsh or whoever.

“Now I’ve got that chance and I’m really looking forward to working with a great team.”

The curtain came down on Lee’s illustrious twenty-year playing career last month as he exited in fitting fashion, taking three wickets in the Big Bash final, including two in the final over.

While coaching is the obvious career step, Lee admits he hasn’t really thought about it and he only took on the role because the timing was right.

“I had been chatting with Simmo [Phil Simmons] and the timing was good so I jumped at the chance.

William Porterfield during Sunday's squad session at the Drummoyne Oval Barry Chambers / INPHO Barry Chambers / INPHO / INPHO

With just a couple of days until the start of the tournament, which starts on Friday when co-hosts New Zealand face Sri Lanka, Lee acknowledges his job will be to mentor the Irish bowlers rather than make any drastic technical alterations.

“It’s just a case of using what they have to work on their action, keeping it clean and making sure they’ve got a couple of different balls but it’s the mindset more than anything.

“It’s up to me to make sure they’ve got their plans in place and having the skills to execute that plan.”

The composition of Ireland’s bowling attack has caused much debate over the past 18 months following the retirement of Trent Johnston and Boyd Rankin’s decision to declare for England.

The loss of Tim Murtagh to injury has placed an extra burden on an already stretched and inexperienced attack but Lee liked what he saw during the first session.

“Everyone,” was his response when asked who impressed. “Max Sorensen is bowling particularly well. He’s got good pace but all the guys look good.

Wicketkeeper Gary Wilson at full stretch as Ireland prepare for a warm-up game against Scotland on Tuesday Barry Chambers / INPHO Barry Chambers / INPHO / INPHO

“I want to have a good look over the next couple of days because I can’t make an assessment on a bowler after a few hours.”

When asked about the impact Lee could have on the squad, captain William Porterfield hopes the two-time World Cup winner can give his bowlers invaluable insight into the secrets of taking wickets on flat Australian pitches.

“Yeah, it’s obviously massive,” Porterfield said of the impact Lee can make. “Everyone knows who he is and what he has to offer and the seamers have been chomping at the bit to pick his brains.

“He was really hands on yesterday and that’s great for ourselves especially in these conditions. We’ll hope to take as much as we can from the next few days.”

Ireland play their first official warm-up game against Scotland on Tuesday at the Blacktown Oval before facing Bangladesh in their final dress rehearsal at the same venue on Thursday.

The squad then travel to Nelson at the weekend for their first of six group matches. The game starts at 10pm Irish time on Sunday.

You can follow all the build-up to the Cricket World Cup on The42 here.

Originally published at 0730

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