Pace bowler Ryan Harris was Friday named in the 12-member Australian squad that will take on India in the second Test at the Sydney Crickt Ground (SCG) starting here Tuesday.
Harris, who suffered a hip injury in last month's Cape Town Test, replaces all-rounder Dan Christian and young pacer Mitchell Starc who were part of the 13-man squad for the first Test in Melbourne.
National selector John Inverarity said Harris was selected after carefully monitoring his recovery. Harris made a return to competitive cricket with figures of 1-35 in Perth Scorchers narrow victory over the Brisbane Heat Thursday night.
“Ryan Harris has been added to the XI that played in the First Test in Melbourne. Ryan has had carefully monitored preparation, which has gone to plan. Mitchell Starc and Daniel Christian, who were both in squad for the First Test have been omitted but remain very much in our thinking,” he said.
Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said that Shane Watson has not fully recovered from his right calf injury and is therefore not available for the Sydney Test. Harris, however, will find it hard to replace the pace trio of pace trio James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle, who were instrumental in the Australia's 122-run victory over India in Melbourne.
"I'm down the pecking order. It's my fault that I got injured and all I'm trying to do is just get fit and let it take care of itself. I don't expect to be able to go straight back into that team. The boys, with what they did in the last two days against that batting line up, was outstanding. It's a nice thing to hear from Michael and we'll see what happens," Harris told reporters in Perth.
Australian captain Michael Clarke has not ruled out starting with four pacers for the Sydney Test and feels the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch may have some grass covering and assist the quicks. Squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Brad Haddin (vice-captain), Ed Cowan, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle and David Warner.
