Australian pacebowler Ryan Harris gives selectors six reasons
THEY were six balls that sealed Ryan Harriss place in the second Ashes Test.
Six screaming deliveries to Mike Hussey which proved Harris has the ball on a tightly wound string right now. Six balls which proved hes the man to torment Englands left-handed duo of Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook. Six balls which demanded Harriss inclusion in the Australian XI, six different kinds of heat. It was 10.47am this morning. Harris and Doug Bollinger were steaming in at Hussey.
Bollinger was having trouble with his run-up. There wasnt enough room for him to hurtle in off his full approach. Bollinger bowled some ripping deliveries but Harris shaded him for consistency. Only one thing can keep Harris out of the Australian side now - his injured right knee. It was heavily strapped during his duel with Hussey and an Ashes Test is no place for a passenger.
Test selectors Andrew Hilditch and Jamie Cox watched Bollinger and Harris in action. They could not have missed this six-ball burst from Harris.
Ball 1: Hussey pushed forward, Harris got the ball to tail away. Big nick to third slip.
Ball 2: Hussey forward again, the ball on another perfect length, moving away, this catch to second slip.
Ball 3: Harris straightened his line. The ball started on middle stump but swung away. Hussey played and missed, beaten all ends up.
Ball 4: Another delivery pitching in what Damian Fleming would call the avenue of apprehension. Hussey shouldered arms. The ball missed the top of off stump by about a centimetre. Might have clipped a bail if there was one.
Ball 5: Harris lured Hussey into a drive but the ball veered enough to get a thick outside edge. Would have been gobled up by a gully.
Ball 6: Harris was grinning from ear to ear by now. He sent down another inch-perfect delivery. This one straightened and Hussey fluked an inside edge.
Australias Gabba trio of Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle were rested from bowling duties so it was left to their potential replacements to attack the in-form Hussey. They both pressed their claims in emphatic fashion, as Bollinger huffed and puffed and nearly blew Hussey down in a classic two-man show.
"Theyre class acts, no doubt," Australias vice-captain Michael Clarke said. "Theyve both had success in international cricket, whether that be Tests or one-dayers, and theyre both looking forward to an opportunity. The selectors have got a tough job but weve got to pick the attack that can take 20 wickets on a pretty good batting wicket." Johnson, Hilfenhaus and Siddle will steam in tomorrow in an attempt to keep Harris and Bollinger at bay. Johnson and Hilfenhaus have the most to lose.
"Mitch seems fine," Clarke said. "All of us face criticism throughout our career. Sometimes more often than not, especially when youre not getting as many runs or wickets as youd like. Hes faced it before and Im sure hell face it again. Hes looking forward to this opportunity out here in this Test match. The selectors will work out the 11 players for this Test match and if he gets his chance, hell grab it with both hands."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...tors-six-reasons/story-fn67wv6z-1225963994658
