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It sounds absurd to leave Australia’s best bowler out of the side for the fifth Test, particularly as he has just taken career-best figures in the second innings of the fourth Test.
It may fly in the face of Darren Lehmann’s stated policy of not resting or rotating players. And, given the rotation policy is so disliked by many Roarers, myself included, it may seem strange I call for Ryan Harris to be rested.
But Ryan Harris has now played three Tests in a row. He has never played three in a row before without getting injured. He has certainly never played four in a row.
The romantic in me would love to see Ryan Harris play at The Oval and bowl Australia to victory. He deserves it.
He has taken 20 wickets in the three Tests he has played in this Ashes series and been clearly Australia’s best bowler.
It is a testament to Ryan Harris’ courage he has come back from injury so many times and testament to his skill he has bowled so well.
But with only pride on the line at The Oval, it would be better to put Harris in cotton wool until the return series starts in Australia in November.
It is there we will need him.
If he is fit for Brisbane, the conditions would suit him and he may get Australia off to a winning start in that series.
And if he is fit for the whole series, Australia will have a much better chance of winning back the Ashes.
Can we really afford to risk him getting injured?
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