Returning former Test paceman Ryan Harris thundered into Ashes calculations with a spell that destroyed Tasmania’s top order in the Sheffield Shield final.
The 33-year-old Queenslander produced a miracle spell of 4-6 in 5.3 overs to have his side back in a decider that had looked a lost cause over the first three days at Bellerive.
He finished exhausted, with figures of 4-32 after a total of 54 overs in the match.
It continued a superb return from Harris’s latest injury setback, adding to some impressive figures in his handful of games for Queensland this season.
Harris took 6-58 and 2-48 in the Bulls’ last-round victory over Western Australia and 4-26 in the one-day final win over Victoria.
Bulls physiotherapist Martin Love said Harris had pulled up well but was unlikely to bowl again in a match his side can’t win.
“I think he’s proved everything he needs to prove in terms of his fitness for the selectors going forwards,” Love said.
“He wasn’t knocking over tailenders either so I think he’s ready to go.”
With Australia’s attack struggling in India, albeit on unfavourable pitches, Harris’s name is sure to be in the mix for the Ashes series beginning in July.
The paceman played the last of his 12 Tests, from which he has 47 wickets at 23.63, in April last year in the West Indies.
He underwent shoulder surgery last August and, before February, hadn’t played any serious cricket since May last year.
In three Shield games in recent weeks he’s racked up a massive 153 overs, including 40 in the first innings of the final against the Tigers.
“When Ryan Harris is bowling at you, whether he’s injured or he’s bowled 60 overs, he’s always at you and he’s always trying to get you out and he’s in the contest,” Tasmanian keeper/batsman Tim Paine said.
Harris has said he will try to keep his momentum in the IPL and then, hopefully, with an Australia A tour to England before the Ashes.
He is also considering a county stint to adjust to conditions for the crucial series, should he be required.
Richard
Guest
Just as outstanding as Harris was the counter by Paine and Faulkner. It was a chanceless stand apparently and Harris had the ball on a string. Faulkner batted resolutely and shelved the slogs while Paine batted beautifully, all class. If the final is anything to go by then Harriss Faulkner Butterworth Paine and Silk should all be given a chance for the ashes. How many warm up games have we got ahead of the Ashes? what other games are there coming up, Australia A? I would be taking Bailey as leadership back up also
Disco
Roar Guru
Johnson should be nowhere near the squad. But we know that like Watson and Maxi, he's a firm favourite.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Batting practice now, it is just not right to not have a go.
Matt F
Roar Guru
It doesn't really look like they were never really trying to go for it, even before they lost wickets. I have no idea why given they have nothing to lose. I know the odds of them winning were about 0.000001% but they have nothing to lose
Red Kev
Guest
Definitely not going for it. 3/37 at lunch. I don't understand the mentality. The only possible way to win the Shield was an all out attack but instead they collapse meekly.
Richo
Guest
he plays for the bulls so he wont be selected to play a game even if we loose the series,just ask usman khawaja =p
Rellum
Roar Guru
If we are not going for it I will be, not happy.
Red Kev
Guest
Not with Pomersbach out cheaply - they're now 1/23 off 17 - why?
Rellum
Roar Guru
Still a chance
Red Kev
Guest
So QLD chasing 446 off somewhere between 80 & 85 overs today. I hope they have a crack, may as well lose big rather than playing out a boring draw.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I could go with that, but put Bird and Starc the other way round. Siddle, Patto, Rhino and Bird are clearly our best 4 quicks right now.
JGK
Roar Guru
Assuming everyone is fit: Patto, Harris, Siddle, Starc, Bird and maybe Faulkner for experience. Johnson is NTPFAA. Probably the same for Hilf.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I'd almost say 2nd bowler picked, after Patto. Harris, Patto, Sids and Bird are the must picks. You've then got Starc, Johnners, Hilfy, even Faulkner, Hazlewood and Sayers fighting for one or two more spots. Harris was always going to be good in England. I watched him bowl about 3 overs in a one-dayer in his comeback game, and you can see how good he is. In that spell last night, he was swinging the new cherry both ways at 140km/h+. Had the ball on a string going both ways, reminding me of Akram.
JGK
Roar Guru
It's not even a question. He will tour, barring tearing a hammy off the bone today.
Red Kev
Guest
His second innings spell was awesome, saw the highlights on Fox News and every wicket ball was misjudged by the batsmen. The Rhino is back.