Overlooked for the World Cup squad, Test quick Ryan Harris says Australian coach Darren Lehmann has also recommended he miss the West Indies tour due to the birth of his first child.

Harris, 35, said he would have loved to have been included in the 15-man World Cup squad announced this week but understood that his troublesome knee required rest following Australia’s 2-0 Test series win over India.

And Harris revealed he may also stay home for the Windies tour in June with his wife Cherie set to give birth that month.

“The West Indies tour? I’m not sure as (my wife has) a baby due early June which is when that tour is on so I’m not sure I’ll make the West Indies,” he told SEN’s The Run Home.

“(West Indies) is the worst possible place to go to get home from and Darren (Lehmann) made it clear I should stay home and spend some time with my wife.”

Harris said he was disappointed to be overlooked for World Cup duty but backed the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc to step up alongside Mitchell Johnson in the one-day tournament.

“I would have loved to have played in the World Cup – that’s the bottom line,” Harris said.

“But at the end of the day it’s my age, it’s the knee, and I knew that going in.

“I also haven’t played one day cricket for two-and-half or three years.

“The guys that have been playing have done a great job.

“To get back in the side I would have to be bowling well, which I feel like I am, and also to be fit enough to be back in that team and bottom line is I’m not – I wish I was five years younger.”

Harris’ main priority will be the Ashes series in England starting in July.