The Ashes 2013-14: An in-from Ryan Harris bodes well for Australia
Ryan Harris – The Australian work horse
Before the start of Ashes 2013-14, Craig McDermott rated Ryan Harris as one of bowling greats of Australia. There were hardly any takers of this statement, more so after Mitchel Johnson decimated the English batsmen with his brutal pace in the first two Test matches.
However, if one look at the statistics, Harris is indeed among the top bowlers in fact above the likes of Glen McGrath, Denis Lillee, Bret Lee and Craig McDermott himself. The factor that’s most critical in determining a bowlers ability to take wickets is strike rate. Currently into his 19th Test, Harris is sending a batsman back to pavilion after every 46.5 balls. It is easily better than the likes of Lillee, McGrath, Lee and McDermott. Of the contemporary bowlers globally, only Steyn and Phillander have a better strike rate.
Like many of his generation Harris got the chance to play for his country very late. Post McGrath’s retirement Australia was looking for someone who can like McGrath bowl to an impeccable line and length giving nothing to batsman. Australian selector billed Harris as the successor of mighty McGrath.
Few days later Harris successfully filled the void and how. He picked up two five wicket hauls in his first three ODI’s.
At first look Harris doesn’t come across as a cricketer. He is stockily built and looks a perfect fit for Aussie Rules Football. But when on a cricket field with red cherry in his hands, he is always few deliveries away from getting a wicket. The best thing about Harris’ bowling is that he keeps it really simple.
He is one of the very few bowlers who follow the very basics of fast bowling – bowl just on and around off stump, make the batsman play almost every ball. He always looks to bowl a full-ish length and with a little help from the pitch with such line, he is enough to make a batsman circumspect.
Sample the ball that knocked the stumps of Alistair Cook today morning during the second innings of England after Australia set up a target of 504 runs. Bowl was shaping back and landed on and around middle stump and then just nipped away at the last moment to flip the bails of off stump. Such deliveries are unplayable at any stage of match and Harris was able to bowl it first up speaks about the confidence he has in his abilities.
Make no mistake Harris is not a one dimensional bowler- his Sharp short deliveries thrust the batsman deep into crease. There’s pace also, he consistently bowl around 140 kph mark. At this pace, his yorkers are equally effective.
Earlier this year during the 1st leg of Ashes in England, Harris was the only Australian who continuously made dents in English camp on more than one occasion. It came as no surprise when he picked 24 wickets and ended up being Australian Man of the Series.
Another in the line of late bloomers from Australia, Harris doesn’t intimidate batsman. He doesn’t let out a roar. More often than not his celebrations are subdued as if it is a routine exercise to take wickets. Yet, his impact in Ashes’ this year is huge. Yes, Johnson tormented the English batting but he always had support of Harris from other end. He gives nothing away. Even on days he is not picking wickets, batsmen finds it dreadfully difficult to score runs of him. He always helps build the pressure.
Harris is almost a complete package. Other than creating havoc with the ball, he can hit a few lusty blows with the willow. He is not a typical tail-ender who sees the ball and hit it. His batting is far more composed and has the ability to play the ball on its merit. In the field, he is a safe fielder. His bullet arms make him a strong fielder in the deep. When fit he is a big asset to the team.
Ryan Harris – Understated yet effective
With his age hovering in mid-thirties and a fragile body, not many years of cricket is left in Harris. However, currently he is going through his best phase. For the first time he is enjoying his time at the wicket. He is looking fit and is dominating the opponent.
It is important for the selectors now to manage the work load of Harris. Australia is yet to make a successful transition post retirement of its legendary players. They now need to build their bowling around Harris. James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Jackson bird, there many young and exciting bowling aspects in Australia.
Harris may have played only 19 Test matches but he is playing first class cricket for last 13 years and it’s a lot of time for a fast bowler. These young bowlers can learn a great deal from him. And if he is able keep himself fit and play for at least couple of more years, it will not only be the best from the point of view of Australian cricket but also Harris may just be able to end up as one of the better fast bowlers Australia have ever produced.