Agencies
Sydney, July 4
Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris, on Saturday, retired from all forms of cricket after a knee injury ruled him out of the upcoming Ashes series. The 35-year old was left out of the Australia’s final tour game against Essex after complaining of soreness in his right knee. Scans on his knee revealed more damage than was originally anticipated, forcing the fast bowler into calling time on his injury-plagued career.
Fast bowler Pat Cummins will replace Harris in the Test squad as Australia seek to end their 14-year drought without a series win in the British Isles. The first Test of the 2015 series starts in Cardiff on July 8.
“Given the news I received yesterday, and after talking it over with my family, I know now is the right is the time to step away from cricket,” Harris said while announcing his decision to retire. “I’m pretty lucky, I have had a wonderful career and nothing made me prouder than pulling on the baggy green.
“I played 27 more Tests than I ever thought I would and have relished every single moment of them. I couldn’t have played with a better bunch of blokes and walking away from the team and our support staff is probably the hardest thing to stomach right now. This is a very special team and I know they will do Australia proud in this Ashes series. I know I will certainly be watching every ball.“Whatever is next for me, and I don’t know what that is right now, I know it will still involve cricket as that is what I love and I want to be able to give back to the game that has given me so much,” he said.
Harris, ranked No.4 in the ICC Test rankings at the time of retirement, made his Test debut against New Zealand at Wellington in 2010. He picked up 113 wickets in 27 Tests at an average of 23.52 and was a prominent member of the Australian side in the double Ashes year of 2013-14, where he picked up 46 wickets across nine Tests. He also picked up 44 wickets from 21 ODIs but last featured in the 50-over format in February 2012.
A bustling fast bowler known for his ability to maintain his intensity even at the end of a day’s play, Harris had his promising career blighted by recurring injury concerns. Barely months after taking nine wickets in his debut series, he was ruled out of the Tests against Pakistan in England and the tour to India due to a knee injury. And, after enjoying a good run of form in the tour of South Africa in 2011, a hip injury forced him to miss the rest of the season including the first two Tests of the home series against India. Incidentally, it was Harris’ two wickets at the end that helped Australia to a historic series win in South Africa in 2014.
Reacting to the retirement, Australian coach Darren Lehmann said that Harris had epitomized everything the baggy green stood for. “His never-say-die attitude was his signature as he left absolutely nothing on the field each time he played and I think that is something for which he should be incredibly proud. The team and I are certainly very proud of everything he has achieved on and off the field and we wish him all the best in whatever he decides to do next.”
