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.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Have to agree. He hasn't played a test in England since his "triumphant return" where he was bowling so much better. However, he played the one day series after the England leg of the Ashes and terrorised the England team in English conditions with the white ball.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I do recall he had two wickets in the first over of an innings at one point! He's clearly more than someone who just knocks over the tail.
Tim
Guest
CW, the 'Stuart Clarke' clone reference was more in reference to his similar build and bowling delivery rather than ability.
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
Sounds about right, yeah. I reckon that's the most balanced attack - Johnson is your enforcer, Harris is your strike bowler, Lyon's still our best spinner, Hazlewood will bowl 20 maidens and Watto will bowl 5-15 depending on whether we destroy England quickly or have to prise them apart.
Andrew
Guest
Totally agree. Get the 1st test right and build from there. Harris, Hazey and MJ must play and do everything possible to get us 1 up.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Ryano must start in Cardiff, we crazily left him out of the first Test at Trent Bridge two years ago and came up agonisingly short. We also didn't get it done in Cardiff in 2009 when we were in a commanding position. We have to win the First test to set the tone for the series. Ryano is a certainty to start along with MJ and Hazlewood. Starc will get his opportunity during the series. This will be Ryanos swan song so expect a good series from him if fitness is there.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Can we leave out the Beefy Botham / Glenn McGrath type predictions please. We have not won a series over there for 14 years. Our lads struggle with the swinging ball and they need to get this sorted early in the tour. England are a competitive outfit and will push us all the way.
CW
Guest
Pace trio or pace quartet. Hate to be picky. But have you not described four bowlers? Fast (Johnno) metronome (Hazey) tall and swings (Starc) bustly (Harris).
CW
Guest
LILY.It seems the selectors are happy with the job Lyon is doing. Fawad will probably only play in the tour games. I would like to have him in at least one test. Poms are not good players of leg spin.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
UPDATE: Rogers made 70 in the second innings in this match in the Isle of Wight after Harris had earlier made 48. Bowling for the Harris XI against the Rogers XI, Harris again took a wicket with the new ball in the second dig but bowled only four overs in that short innings. After making 70 in the first dig, Mitch Marsh added 22. Rogers, Harris and Marsh will now join the Aussie side for their first proper warm up match - a four-day game against Kent starting on Thursday.
CW
Guest
Hazey has far too much natural talent for Clarke in my view. Agree that he could well be as "feared and lauded as McGrath" some day. Some sports writer called Hazlewood the "poor man's McGrath". Due to the fact that Glenn has 563 test wickets to Hazey's 19/20.
CW
Guest
Quite right James. Johnno terrorized the Poms on bouncy, lively Aussie decks. Not so sure he could do the same on the slower English pitches. Swing and seam movement will most worry the Poms. Not sheer pace. Reason Harris, Hazey and Starc should take the ball in Cardiff.
CW
Guest
Two good series for Hazlewood. You are forgetting India. Got a five for in his debut test. Harris' long time out of the game is the only reason why the selectors will balk at giving him the first test. Personally. I too would bring him in for the second or third. Doubt his wonky old knees would stand the strain of back to back tests.
Andrew
Guest
Depending on how well the Aussies do early on, even a 4-0 or a 5-0 could definitely be on the cards but we need to get the psychological blow 1st.
Andrew
Guest
We need to pick our best 11 and Rhino is part of that. If we don't, we risk the 1st test and I personally would like the Aussies to deal the 1st psychological blow by taking the 1st test. Momentum will allow the Aussies to then change things round swap/rest bowlers depending on performance.
Jarijari
Guest
Good to see the outstanding Alex Blackwell get a run against the blokes. Adam Zampa got her for a duck in the first innings but she got 16no in the second.
Jarijari
Guest
Not disputing that all, Ronan. Harris will come back at some stage and yeh he's still potentially our best bowler. I just think it might be too early to throw him in for Cardiff. And OK if Starc or Hazlewood aren't capable of knocking over the top order in the first two then Rhino will come into the team.
Lily
Guest
Can poor Fawad Ahmed get a chance here? :O
ChrisB
Guest
We could really play all 4. Look at England's train-on squad, it's chockers with pace. Given their absolute lack of any quality spinners, these are going to be green tops
CW
Guest
Some record against the Poms. 57 wickets @ 21. If fit should be a shoe in. He has not played for some time. Will he be fit? Those wonky old knees are telling me he will not make all five tests. Will most likely sit out the second as there is only a three day turnaround. "Hazlewood has been physically frail in the past" You make him sound like a withered old man". If you are referring to his back trouble. Yes he has suffered the same stress fractures as have most of our young quicks.That was about 18 months ago. Looks fighting fit and ready to tear into the Poms.