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Aussie spearhead Ryan Harris is back. The veteran returned to the field yesterday after a long layoff, playing a match for the Elite International Academy XI against Hampshire Second XI.
The two-day fixture on the Isle of Wight was Harris’ first hit out in more than six months, since the fourth Test against India in Sydney.
Harris lacked his usual penetration in that Test, returning 2-130 from 44 overs on a lifeless SCG pitch. In fact, he did not look his usual potent self across the three Tests he played in that series.
While the disappointingly placid pitches did him few favours, Harris appeared to be underdone in his return from serious knee surgery.
His delivery stride and follow through were not always robust and, as a result, he was down on pace and, at times, bereft of rhythm.
In the wake of these performances, Harris wondered aloud whether he had rushed back to Test cricket too soon.
Considering these events, it is no surprise some cricket followers are sceptical of his ability to have an impact in the upcoming Ashes.
Some have even suggested he doesn’t warrant a place in Australia’s starting XI, having been overtaken in his absence by the rising pair of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Australia are in the luxurious situation of having a surplus of quality pacemen. Before his latest injury layoff, Harris had proven himself the second best Test bowler on the globe, behind only all-time great South African Dale Steyn.
The 35-year-old owns an extraordinary Test record against England, with 57 wickets at an average of 21. Crucially, Harris has a mental hold over in-form English skipper Alastair Cook, with whom he toyed over the past two Ashes.
It is understandable that some people are not convinced he can be as effective when he returns from injury.
It must be remembered though, that Harris’ career has been dominated by injuries and he has an exemplary record of swiftly rebounding from such setbacks.
Look no further than the fact that, despite regular injury layoffs since earning his baggy green five years ago, Harris still has an incredible Test record of 113 wickets at an average of 23.
This time, he doesn’t have the added burden of trying to recover from injury. Harris has merely been resting his body to ensure it is primed for the upcoming Ashes, which has the potential to be the pinnacle of his international career.
It was a decision made in conjunction with the hierarchy at Cricket Australia, who recognised that he was so valuable he needed to be protected at all costs ahead of the Ashes.
Harris may not have been seen on a cricket field for six months up until yesterday, but he hasn’t been kicking back in an armchair.
The seamer has been going through an intensive program similar to a football “pre-season” to ensure that his fitness is peaking for the tour of the UK.
Harris had a similar preparation prior to the last Ashes in England and that reaped major dividends.
When he returned, he played 12 Tests on the trot, bowling with remarkable potency and consistency as Australia chalked up monumental series victories over England and South Africa.
In a column for Fairfax media last week, Harris revealed he had never before been afforded such a long period of preparation for a cricket season or series.
He had been bowling in the nets for the past six weeks and his body felt better than it had in years.
Aside from this net bowling, and his spells in the match on the Isle of Wight, Harris should also get plenty of overs in Australia’s two four-day warm-up games, the first of which starts next Thursday against Kent.
I’m certain Harris will be in the starting line-up for the first Test in Cardiff from July 8-12. Given his age, history of injury and Australia’s pace depth, he may well be managed through the series.
Josh Hazlewood, too, has been physically frail in the past and is yet to prove he can get through a compact five-Test series.
It looks possible both he and Harris will be rested at some point, perhaps playing four Tests each, form permitting.
Harris only played four Tests in 2013, yet that was enough for him to be Australia’s player of the series.
Don’t be fooled by his age or long absence, he can have just as big an impact this time around.