Fit-again Harris returns to Test squad

Saturday, 31 December 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Fit-again pace bowler Ryan Harris isn’t expecting a saloon passage back into the team for next week’s second Test against India.

However the Queensland quick admits it’s nice to hear from Australian captain and selector Michael Clarke that he’s being considered for a recall for the SCG match.He was included in the 12-man squad named on Thursday in the wake of Australia’s 122-run win in the first Test at the MCG on Thursday.

Star allrounder Shane Watson (calf muscle) was again ruled out and the latest prognosis from team physio Alex Kountoris was not encouraging, saying only he’d “hopefully be available for one of the remaining two Test matches.” Uncapped allrounder Dan Christian and paceman Mitchell Starc were released of the 13-man squad named for Melbourne. Harris suffered a hip injury in last month’s Cape Town Test but claimed 1-35 off four overs for Brisbane Heat in Thursday night’s Big Bash League game in Perth.

It’s a measure of the 32-year-old’s standing in the team that he’s even being considered for the Sydney Test given the tremendous performances of pace trio James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle in Melbourne.

Clarke says the SCG pitch may have some grass covering and assist the quicks and a four-man pace attack isn’t out of the question, with offspinner Nathan Lyon’s spot under scrutiny after his 1-91 in Melbourne.

Harris boasts a stunning record of 35 wickets at 21.37 in eight Tests but says he’s concerned that his next injury blow could spell the end of his career.

“I’m down the pecking order. It’s my fault that I got injured and all I’m trying to do is just get fit and let it take care of itself,” Harris told reporters in Perth.

“I don’t expect to be able to go straight back into that team.

“The boys, with what they did in the last two days against that batting line up, was outstanding.

“It’s a nice thing to hear from Michael and we’ll see what happens.”

Harris, who bowled in the MCG nets with the Australian squad earlier this week before heading to Perth, felt his performance on Thursday night was poor.

“I’m worried about getting injured, which is not a great thing to do,” he said.

Siddle, who claimed 6-105 in the first Test, said it was a bonus to have an outstanding bowler like Harris back in the squad.

“Whether they play four quicks, they play the spinner, you never know what’s going to happen,” Siddle said in Melbourne on Friday.

Siddle said the four-man pace attack worked well in the third Ashes Test in Perth last summer.

He nominated The Oval Test in 2009, which England won by 197 runs after Australia left out spinner Nathan Hauritz, as an example of where it didn’t come off.

Siddle defended Lyon, saying the MCG pitch didn’t suit spin.

Asked if Australia’s current pace trio was starting to look threatening on the world stage, Siddle said: “I’d like to think so.”

Siddle dismissed world-record holder Sachin Tendulkar twice in Melbourne and he had a warning for Tendulkar and VVS Laxman who scored first-innings centuries in the Sydney Test of 2007/08.

“Four years is a long time ago. The wicket has changed,” Siddle said.

“It has been a bit better for the bowlers.”