Dream still alive for Harris

THERE is a feeling that Ryan Harris’s knee setback is minor and there are no plans at this stage for the champion Australian fast bowler to be sent home from the Ashes.

It’s understood scans sent back to Melbourne for examination will show some damage but that the soreness could be managed over the coming couple of weeks, in a major boost to Australia’s bid to end 14- years of Ashes misery in the UK.

Official results are yet to be confirmed, but there appears to be a quiet optimism in the Australian camp that Harris’s Ashes series is still alive and a dream Test farewell for the veteran 35- year- old remains on the cards.

Harris was scratched from Australia’s final pre- Ashes tour match against Essex in Chelmsford, virtually ending his chances of playing in the first Test at Cardiff and even the second Test at Lord’s.

D- Day for Harris shapes as Australia’s next tour fixture against Derbyshire, which starts on July 23 in the lead- up to the third Test.

Coach Darren Lehmann has stated that Harris would need to show he can bowl 20 overs an innings to be picked for a Test match.

The next chance for Harris to show that would be against Derbyshire, unless Australia was to look at options to get him another game somewhere else in England.

Any positive news on Harris is good news for Australia — given the chronic problems with his knee he has endured throughout his career.

The flare- up in Essex looked ominous, particularly given he immediately rushed to London for scans.