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The scoreboard may have suggested otherwise but Queensland coach Stuart Law believes Ryan Harris is in fine form ahead of the first Test against India despite going wicketless in the Sheffield Shield on Tuesday.
The recovering Test quick (0-51 off 13 overs) was the only member of the Bulls attack who did not claim a scalp in Tasmania’s 217 first innings in their Shield clash in Brisbane.
At stumps on day one, Queensland cruised to 1-73 off just 15 overs thanks to former Test No.3 Usman Khawaja (31 off 35 balls) and opener Joe Burns (29 off 30).
Harris had some close calls but no luck on the flat Allan Border Field deck – yet Law liked what he saw.
Law even claimed Harris was more impressive on Tuesday than he was in his first class return last week.
In his first match in eight months due to knee surgery, Harris last week took seven wickets for the match and scored a run a ball 50 to inspire Queensland’s 188-run win over NSW.
“He got wickets last week but didn’t get any wickets today but I actually thought he bowled a lot better today,” Law said.
“His pace was better than it was against NSW and his approach to the crease looked a lot smoother.”
Harris said he would have no trouble ruling himself out of the first Test starting in Brisbane on December 4 if he did not think his knee was 100 per cent after the Shield clash with Tasmania.
But Law all but guaranteed Harris would be good to go judging by his first day effort.
“Ryan is one of those guys who gets better and better every time he bowls,” he said.
“With a bit more bowling he should be right to go against the Indians.”
As Harris toiled away, Queensland captain James Hopes (4-14 off 20 overs) led the attack with quick Luke Feldman (4-69).
Earlier, Tasmania’s Alex Doolan (12 off 38 balls) missed a chance to push his Test cause.
Feldman was on a hat-trick when he had ex-Test No.3 Doolan caught behind before the Tigers crawled to 3-63 at lunch and limped to tea at 6-166.
Jon Wells (47) top scored for Tasmania, sharing a 71-run fourth wicket stand with captain George Bailey (31).
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