Nepal cricket is buzzing with anticipation after roping in Ian Harvey, the Australian T20 pioneer, as bowling consultant just weeks before the T20 World Cup kicks off. The announcement came amid heightened preparations for the marquee event co-hosted by the USA and West Indies.
Harvey’s reputation precedes him. Famous for his knuckle ball and cutters, he terrorized batsmen in the early IPL days with Deccan Chargers. Now, he’ll mentor Nepal’s bowlers, focusing on powerplay and death overs where they’ve faltered.
‘We’re thrilled to have Ian on board. His insights will transform our attack,’ stated CAN president Chatur Bahadur Chand. Nepal’s recent performances highlighted bowling frailties, conceding high totals in qualifiers.
The 50-year-old Harvey arrives with a packed resume: key role in Australia’s 2003 ODI World Cup win and domestic success with Victoria. He’ll conduct intensive sessions starting Monday, analyzing opposition batsmen and pitch behaviors.
This appointment reflects Nepal’s growing professionalism. After associating with Pakistani coaches, they’ve now tapped Australian expertise. Harvey’s stint is tailored for the World Cup, potentially extending based on results.
Key bowlers like Sompal Kami and Karan KC stand to benefit most. Harvey plans to introduce subtle variations suited to subcontinental conditions, drawing from his Big Bash League experience.
Grouped with Oman, Netherlands, and Papua New Guinea initially, Nepal faces a tough Super 8 potential against giants. Harvey’s magic touch might just script an underdog story.
Analysts see this as a masterstroke. ‘Nepal’s bowling graph is set to rise sharply,’ opined ESPNcricinfo’s Sidharth Monga. Fans are optimistic, with #HarveyForNepal trending online.