Harris fighting fit

27 June 2015 06:47

Ryan Harris has declared himself fit for Australia's Ashes series after 15 months battling knee problems, claiming 'I'm here to play five Tests'.

Paceman Harris grabbed two wickets in a 16-over spell against Kent at Canterbury on Saturday, that he believes sets him up for the Ashes opener in Cardiff on July 8.

The 35-year-old admitted he understands why Darren Lehmann dubbed him "short of a gallop" earlier this week, but is still out to convince his coach he should be in Australia's XI at Sophia Gardens.

Mitchell Marsh blasted 101 and Shane Watson 81 as Australia posted 322 for four in their second innings at the Spitfire Ground, to take a 549-run lead into Sunday's final day.

"My knee gets sore but my body itself feels really good," said Harris.

"I don't feel I've bowled many overs at all, which I haven't felt in a long, long time.

"To grab a couple of wickets and some rhythm was very satisfying.

"Everyone should be fighting for those Test spots.

"I haven't thought too much about it: I'm here to play five Tests and I want to play as much as I can.

"I'm just here to try to get some rhythm, get some wickets and make it hard for the selectors to pick a bowling group for that first Test.

"Hopefully I'm in it, but if I'm not then someone else is doing a better job and hopefully we're winning Test matches and that's the way it goes.

"I think I'm pretty good, but Darren was probably correct in saying what he did because I haven't had too many games, and it's hard to simulate this match intensity.

"It was quite sore on Friday night but I came out this morning and bowled and I'm doing that quite well.

"It didn't stop me from bowling and that's good, and it's only going to get better."

Harris, the leading wicket taker in the 2013 Ashes series, missed Australia's recent West Indies tour due to the birth of his child.

The Sydney-born seamer admitted any past form means nothing when it comes to selection for this year's keenly-anticipated five-Test battle with England.

"It's all on immediate performance, you never have credits; that's the way I look at it anyway, I wish you did," said Harris.

"Missing a tour was my doing and you give someone else an opportunity.

"I'm here to play five Tests and all I want to do is show that I'm bowling well.

"If I'm not in that first Test squad then someone else is bowling better, and hopefully we win the Test and win the Ashes.

"If that's the way it's got to be then what matters is we win.

"I hope that's not the case but I don't lie in bed awake at night thinking about it too much.

"If I'm doing that I'm trying too hard and not bowling the way I bowl."

Harris revealed "my eyes rolled into the back of my head" when confronted with four months' rehabilitation to be fit for this tour but believes it is now paying dividend.

"Lots of gym work, lots of weights, lots of squats: really intense rehab," said Harris.

"It got my leg stronger: I had to do it obviously to protect my knee a bit.

"When I sat down at the beginning of the programme with the strength and conditioning coaches and said we've got 16 weeks in the gym, I'll be honest with you my eyes rolled into the back of my head thinking 'how am I going to get through it?'

"But I knew at the end of it the carrot was this, I had to do it and I have.

"It's really good to feel those results and see them on the field."

Source: PA