News that Ryan Harris might not be fit to play Test cricket until next year means we may never again see him in the baggy green.
Harris and Shaun Marsh this week were both ruled out of October’s Test series against Pakistan due to their injury struggles.
Marsh will be out for four months because of an elbow surgery, while Harris is yet to begin running again following the knee operation he underwent soon after bowling Australia to victory over South Africa in March.
Harris initially aimed to rush back for the two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE, but it is now uncertain whether he will even be able to play in the four-Test series against India at home this Australian summer.
Australian team physio Alex Kountouris this week said they were hopeful Harris would be back bowling before Christmas. However, they would first have to wait and see how his knee responded when he started running again.
Harris is the first player picked in the Test side, according to his skipper Michael Clarke. But how much longer can the injury-plagued veteran nurse himself through an international career?
Prior to having surgery, Harris somehow managed to will his body through 12 consecutive Tests in the space of seven months, despite previously never managing more than three matches on the trot without an injury.
Within days of heroically bowling Australia to a heart–stopping series win in South Africa, Harris was under the knife. His right knee is chronically injured and the 34-year-old hopes this latest surgery will allow him to squeeze another few years out of his career.
Both Harris and the Australian team will be desperate for him to return in time for next year’s Ashes. If he misses the home series against India this summer, he will have just two Tests in the West Indies in May-June next year to prepare for the tour of England.
Harris has become a Test-only player – he has not turned out for Australian in coloured clothing for more than two years. While he has continued to play T20 and 50-over cricket at domestic level this has typically been necessary to either return to fitness following injury layoffs or to keep his body ticking over in between Test series.
Yet he said recently that he felt he had been “pigeonholed” as a long-form player and that he was keen to play for his country in front of home crowds during next year’s One Day World Cup.
Harris’ 50-over credentials are unquestionable – he has 44 wickets at 19 in his limited international career and has been supreme in the Ryobi Cup when he has played in recent summers.
His absence from the ODI side has not hurt Australia due to the plethora of pace options at their disposal.
Left-armers Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc are automatic choices with the white ball, while Victorian seamer Clint McKay, prior to his recent form slump, had been one of the leading bowlers in ODI cricket the past three years.
If Harris can rebound strongly from his injury layoff, McKay’s form trough could allow him to realise his World Cup dream.
He would be an obvious choice if the selectors were looking for a dependable right-arm quick to partner the attacking but occasionally erratic Starc and Johnson at the World Cup in February and March.
The home decks will no doubt offer generous assistance to the pacemen and Australia may seek to mirror the aggressive approach which has borne fruit at Test level by employing three swift and attacking fast men.
But how would Harris’ finicky chassis stand up to this added burden? Can Australia afford to risk their most bankable Test bowler in the World Cup just months out from a tour of England which will give them the chance to win the Ashes abroad for the first time in 14 years?
There is no straightforward answer. Despite his vulnerability to injury, Harris believes he needs regular bowling in matches to harden himself for the contest. The man has been a professional cricketer for almost 14 years, so he knows his own body. However, he is also such a passionate and courageous cricketer that he may try to push his limits too far in an effort to represent his country at every opportunity.
Given he turns 35 in a few months it seems that his next serious injury will almost certainly end his international career. If Australia are to conquer the Test world and prove themselves as the true number one side, they need Harris taking the new ball.
His stranglehold over England’s top order will be a pivotal factor in next year’s Ashes. If he plays, that is. Australia will pray that they can get another two years out of the ageing champ.
After a career blighted by injuries he deserves that.
JGK
Roar Guru
It would be a terrible loss for Oz if it is his last Test but what a way to finish - an Ashes whitewash and the series winning spell in South Africa. Having said that, Harris hasn't actually played a lot of cricket over the years (just 76 FC matches and 85 List A in 14 years) so his age might seem advanced but the body hasn't been punished.
ChrisB
Guest
The next generation is only a worry for the (seemingly numerous) people who seem to expect every test player to be a ready made champ as soon as they debut. This just doesn't happen very often. Most pace bowlers take a while to hit their stride or have injury concerns early. Think of the likes of McDermott, Lawson, Gillespie, all injured frequently early on, even the great Lillee. Have patience, two or three of these guys will come through. It's a rare era when the likes of Kasprowicz and Bichel are on the reserves bench, don't think that's the norm
deccas
Guest
You're off your rocker Johnno! KP's a bloody decent bat but Ponting was the best batsmen in the best side in the world for half a bloody decade! Langer is a substantially better batsmen than Vaughan. Langer wasn't just some grafter who got there, he scored quickly, often more quickly than Hayden. His cover drive and his cut and pull were as good as any going around in that team. The best combined english and australian team of my lifetime (89-present, (I cant say I really saw and understood any cricket until 95 or 96) is the best australian team of that era. KP is the only english player who would get close, and I don't think he is as good as Clarke. Flinttoff maybe, but it would be down to taste and nothing else. Hayden Langer Ponting Clarke S. Waugh Hussey Gilchrist Johnson Warne Gilliespie McGrath You could change FLintoff for Hussey, but you don't need him with that attack, and Harris or Gillespie is another decision I don't know about but I've never seen an english bowler better than Brett Lee!
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
Well depends if cooky is still incharge.if hes then aus will win 6-0 in the five match test series.........
Timmuh
Roar Guru
If he will only just be bowling by Christmas, he might only have T20 before the World Cup. Its a risk to throw him into that on the back of that after a long injury lay-off. Particularly in a WC, where replacements have to be from within the named squad (assuming 15 again). Have him gain match fitness in the Shield, then (assuming some reasonable form is shown and further injury avoided) he goes on the West Indies tour and the Ashes. And, yes, he does go the West Indies. If he breaks down again, so be it, but each Test series has to be treated as being as important as each other.
Pom in Oz
Roar Guru
Only 4-1 atgm? ;)
bearfax
Guest
Thanks B.G. I'll keep an eye out for them.
Baggy_Green
Guest
@Bear - Good point about Marsh..Along with Jake Doran and Bosisto, the other aged-19ish talents like Jaron Morgan , Shaun Willis, Matthew Short and Kelvin Smith also need to be watched out for.. Seems like Hughes or Forrest are the next ones in line to fill in that Marsh spot !!
George
Guest
So it's positive. Which is good.
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
He'll retire after winnin the ashes 4-1 in england..........
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
Harris will be back for sure! This is a brilliant piece http://m.cricket.com.au/news-list/2014/7/26/remember-when-glenn-mcgrath-takes-on-matthew-hayden-in-aus-v-aus-a-match
Pom in Oz
Roar Guru
I wish he would retire. He would be remembered as a top class bowler finishing on an absolute high. What a legend! I'd hate to see him come back not quite the same bowler and slowly fizzle out.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Yeah Ronan. He's an Australian hero. I'll tell my kids about Ryano one day.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Nice summary. Thanks Ronan. So do you think that if maxie keeps plugging away with his spinners part time he can get accurate enough? Last time I saw him bowl in the one dayers he was picking up a lot of wickets. Gives the ball a lot of flight as you say.
Johnno
Guest
Nudge David Boon was class and he's pushing the best Aus/Eng side ever in last 30 years, a very consistent batter.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I'm with Ronan - you've lost it Johnno. This will be my last post on the topic; Ponting one of the finest players ever, it isn't necessary for me to point out all the great, match winning performances and series of his career - pick anything between 2002 and 2006. That's why he's mentioned in the same breadth as Sachin and Lara and KP isn't. KP great, but not in that class. Clarke will also be remembered more than KP as he also averages over 50, whilst captaining and playing in difficult conditions in a weak team for years. As for any talk of Vaughan in a combined side - ridiculous and the man himself, who seems very modest, would agree with me.
Johnno
Guest
Some harsh critics of KP/Vaughan. A bit bias maybe to Ponting some are. Ponting was great no debate, I rate him but when you look closer, there is nothing in it between all 3, and if we focus on the middle-order Ponting and KP are neck and neck, look at some stats above. All round career average is Ponting 51,KP 47. Ponting played with some great sides, and got found out with weaker bowler line-ups eg Ashes 2010-11. He struggled on that Ashes 2005 tour too, didn't play too badly averaged 39, but not the same impact KP averaged 62. Alot on here avoiding KP's success in india. Any man who can average 60 in India has to have respect. Spinning tracks always tough. Neck and neck maybe Ponting, but if it is there's nothing in it. KP is such an imposing batter, when he gets on a roll tough to stop like Hayden, big and imposing. Either way Alan Border,Steve Waugh,Michael Clarke in a close contest I rate better than Ponting. And The Bush your now makeing excuses to avoid Vaughan's quality, and big series in weak teams vs great aussie sides and big innings. And Taylor did struggle badly in 1997 as captain, he suffered a massive form slump in South Africa, and was saved in 2nd test in England with a career saving hundred.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
You've lost your marbles Johnno.
Johnno
Guest
The Bush I forgot Steve Waugh, your right. Steve Waugh in for Michael Clarke. KP you seem to underrate he averages 47, Ponting 51. And Ponting had Mcgrath/Warne/Mcgill/Lee/Gillespie/Stuart Clark He has made some championship runs eg ASHES 2005. Was a lone-wolf on that 2006/7 Ashes tour, he took it to Mcgrath/Warne. Ponting always had good bowling attacks on his side. Ponting got found out vs good bowlers alot. And his average as captain went down I believe. Vaughan's average dipped when he was captain, at times too which is common, Mark Taylor's did too. Vaughan was injured alot and came back from injuries. Vaughan struggled as opener and captain. Then he moved to no 3 and captain and was fine. He is very good on the sub-continent. Your harsh on KP. Ponting didn't always make runs vs good attacks. He was exposed by Ishant Sharma. Harbajhan Singh rattled Ponting alot taking him 10 times in 14 tests. Harmison also ruffled Ponting alot as did Flintoff. Ponting was awful in that Ashes 2010 3-1 home drubbing as captain only averaging 16 with the bat. KP was better vs spin than Ponting. KP averages 60 In india, Ponting averages 51, so KP has Ponting's measure vs spin. KP averages 66 in England at home, Ponting averages 60 in Australia. Alot of big series, and Key stats " The Bush KP has Ponting's measure, deal with it. KP is a damn good player, he got picked in the best England side ever by ESPN. In the 2005 ASHES series in England KP 473 runs at 52, vs Mcgrath/Warne/Lee/Kasprowtiz/A young fast Shaun Tait Ponting 359 runs at 39
The Bush
Roar Guru
The Vaughan mistake falls under what I call the "Taylor Syndrome" whereby a captain of a successful team, who demonstrates quality captaincy, is held in far higher esteem than his figures suggest. As a side note, Johnno went on about Vaughan's 02/03 Ashes, but that pales compared to Taylor's '89 Ashes and yet we don't have him in either of our greatest teams because as good as he was, whilst being the finest captain I've ever seen play, he just wasn't that great of a batsman and neither was Vaughan!