By Paul Grunill BBC Sport Online

It is now a decade since John Harmer left the men's game behind and became coach of the Australian women's team.

The move proved both rewarding and successful as he led the Southern Stars to three successive World Cup finals and helped produce, in the likes of Belinda Clark, Karen Rolton and Cathryn Fitzpatrick, some of the greatest female players ever seen.

Last year he switched camps and is now guiding England's fortunes and although the team is going through a rebuilding process, he still finds working with women cricketers as fulfilling as ever.

Harmer has a wealth of experience and know-how

"I started in men's (cricket) and I've come to the ladies and I'm not sure that I'd ever go back in the other direction," said the 60-year-old from Sydney.

"I enjoy coaching the ladies' side of it. I enjoy their commitment, their willingness to get better. Every hour that they're with you, they want to leave a little bit better.

"Their enthusiasm is terrific and their dedication to make a mark in cricket. They want their game to be recognised."

Moving forward

Last winter was a tough one for England as they travelled to India with an inexperienced squad and were whitewashed in the one-day internationals and one-off Test.

But their desire to improve never wavered and their spirits remained high, and even in adversity, Harmer saw enough to suggest that he was working along the right lines.

The establishment of the Super Fours competition to enable England's best 48 players to play against each other was a positive step forward.

Australia's 1997 World Cup win was Harmer's greatest moment

And last week's win over India in Jersey in the opening match of a triangular series. also involving reigning world champions New Zealand, provided another timely boost.

An affable individual, Harmer nevertheless possesses the steel to take a tough line with anyone he feels has stepped out of line.

Kathryn Leng and Sarah Collyer were named in the original squad for the triangular series, but their decision to go on holiday without obtaining permission cost them their places.

"It was inappropriate that they didn't mention their holiday to anyone and it was an inappropriate time to do it in relation to the forthcoming series. You can't just pay lip service to cricket," he was quoted as saying.

Expert knowledge

But it was Harmer's coaching credentials, rather than any reputation as a disciplinarian, which persuaded the England and Wales Cricket Board that he was the right man for the job.

There are few who can match his qualifications in terms of understanding the human body in terms of sport - he published his first book on bio-mechanics more than 30 years ago.

Clare Connor talks things over with the coach

And Harmer believes there is plenty to be learnt from the Australian approach to sport - and life in general.

"Players want to get better in Australia, they're not happy to be just as good as they are.

"I think that's the psyche of the Australian. When they first arrived, there was nothing there and they had to build houses and roads. Every day was like 'What can I do to make it a little bit better?', so their acceptance of change is so much easier."

That is the attitude Harmer will continue to espouse - and that can only be good news for the England women's team.