- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
I’m lapping up a huge Australian Test series win over the current world number one South Africa. It’s amazing how the cricket landscape can change so quickly.
The change of fortunes for Australian cricket in the last six months has been astonishing.
But I’m not here to talk about that. I want to talk about an individual within the Australian cricket team who’s been a part of the change.
No it’s not David Warner nor Mitchell Johnson, though both played magnificent parts in the revival of those fortunes, but a man who doesn’t necessarily get the plaudits he deserves.
His name is Ryan Harris.
Don’t get me wrong, Harris is certainly identified as one of Australia’s current premium fast bowlers. But I believe Harris should be recognised as more than that.
I genuinely believe Harris should be discussed in the all-time great categories. Names like Glenn McGrath, Dennis Lillee, Brett Lee and Craig McDermott? Well you can now throw Ryan Harris in their company.
Harris’ Test record currently stands at 24 Tests for 103 wickets at an average of 22.56. During this Test, Harris became the 33rd Australian to take 100 Test wickets.
Of those 33, Harris currently sits with the best strike rate of 48.3.
But it’s not just pure stats that put ‘Rhino’ in the all-time great discussions.
It’s his ability to bowl with both new and old ball. It’s his ability to not only swing the ball, but to seam the ball when conditions aren’t necessary great for swing bowling.
It’s his ability to take vital wickets when his captain requires. And it’s his ability to push himself through adversity very few can handle.
The injuries that he has sustained throughout his career would have ended a lesser man’s career.
His current opening bowling partner, Mitchell Johnson, has spoken of the incredible lengths he goes to get himself on the field. The fact he’s been able to show his teammates sitting around in the change room the bone he’s got floating around his degenerative knee just shows how strong his will to play for Australia is.
His captain talks about him in glowing terms, saying if he asked him to run through a wall, Rhino would do it.
On the last day, suffering from a hip flexor injury that was so bad there were severe doubts about just getting on the field, Harris delivered 24.3 overs and provided the breakthrough with the second new ball by removing of the previously unmoveable A B de Villiers.
Later on he removed the stubborn Dale Steyn, before closing out a great series win for Australia by knocking over Morne Morkel.
Harris will now go under the knife and will do everything physically possible to get back to fitness and return to the Australian team.
There is no doubt if he is able to, he will be selected.
However there does have to be doubt of whether ultimately he can get back.
If he doesn’t get back to the peak of his powers and that was to be last Test he played, he will always be remembered for his herculean performance in this Test on one leg and on the back of what he would consider not his best form.
Yet he was able to conjure and will himself beyond the pain threshold to propel Australia to victory!
So while the Australian public are standing around the water cooler, talking about Australia’s marvellous climb back up the world cricket rankings, I hope we all take a moment to think about what a tremendous player Harris is and ponder what sort of numbers the man could have put up if his body allowed.
I’m sure the greats like McGrath and Lillee would no doubt consider Harris among their class!
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.