Ian Harvey likes Andrew Tye… and not just because he’s a fellow Australian!

Gloucestershire’s assistant coach was as pleased as anyone when it was announced last week that the 31-year-old pace bowler will be returning to the county for this year’s T20 Blast.

Tye, who is playing in the current one-day international series between England and Australia, was prevented from playing in English cricket’s domestic T20 competition last year because of a shoulder injury, after making a big impression with the county in 2016.

He’s one of those special players – just like Harvey himself in the 90s and noughties – who is happy to bowl at the death in the shorter forms of the game even though batsmen are looking to hit the ball to all four corners of the ground.

It’s a test of a bowler’s nerve and skill and it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted.

“One of the big things about him is that he’s happy to bowl at the crucial times in an innings,” said Harvey. “He wants the ball in his hand. You’ve got to want to bowl at those times and you’ve got to back yourself.

“You’ve got to back your skills and he knows what he can and can’t do.

“He bowls a very good yorker and has a very good change of pace which is very hard to pick, but bowling at the death doesn’t work every time.

“It’s a massive challenge and he’s got massive confidence, but it’s not just about running up and bowling your variations.

“You’ve got to know when to bowl certain balls and he’s still learning.”

Tye may still be learning, but his form for Perth Scorchers has been such that it has earned him a place in Australia’s one-day squad, alongside the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins – Tye made his debut on Sunday – after making his T20 international bow in 2016.

He’s had an interesting career because he didn’t make his one-day debut for Western Australia until he was 26, and has played only a handful of first-class fixtures.

“He’s still got plenty of miles in those legs,” said Harvey. “He’s considered a one-day specialist and is still finding his way in four-day cricket but he wants to play in the longer game. Western Australia have got some good fast bowlers, and the big challenge for him is to keep putting in consistent performances and staying fit.”

Harvey doesn’t think Tye will be putting himself forward to play in Gloucestershire’s county championship side any time soon – “I don’t think that’s an option although you never say never,” he said.

And although Gloucestershire’s supporters would like to see more of the extrovert Tye, just having him as part of their T20 campaign is a massive positive.

So just how quick is Tye?

“I haven’t faced him and I’ve not put a speed gun on him,” said Harvey, “but I’d say he’s in the mid to high 80s. He’s got a very good bouncer and that is definitely quick. Put it this way, he’s certainly not slow!”

And Gloucestershire fans won’t be slow to show their appreciation for him once he makes his long awaited return to the county later this year.