Harris hopes to be back in fray for India series
Aussie paceman hits the nets after knee surgery
Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris is hoping to be fit in time for the domestic Sheffield Shield season in October as he continues his long recovery from knee surgery.
Harris, who bowled Australia to a rare Test series victory over South Africa on one knee, returned to the nets last week for the first time since going under the knife in March.
The 34- year- old has already been ruled out of Australia’s two- Test series against Pakistan in the UAE in October, but is targeting Queensland’s first Sheffield Shield match on October 31 to warmup for the home series against India.
“Don’t talk months, I’ve been talking months for a while now,” Harris told Cricket Australia’s website of his comeback. “I’m hoping to be back for at least the first Sheffield Shield game for Queensland.
“That’s my goal, to try and make sure I get enough bowling in before the India series, which I really want to play in.
“That’s me pushing it to the max and wanting to get back as soon as I can. But you can ask me when I’m aiming to be back, or you can ask the physios and they’ll probably give you a totally different answer.”
The stocky paceman has managed his troublesome right knee for much of his career among a litany of other injuries, but has still managed to take 104 wickets in 24 matches at an average of 22.56.
Little wonder Australia are taking a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.
Harris has been restricted to bowling 18 deliveries off three steps twice a week, the Cricket Australia report said.
“It’s hard at times to do the programme when I want to domore,” said Harris.