Honesty is the best policy for Ryan Harris – just ask the national cricket selectors.

Harris, 35, laughed on Monday when told he could be the only Australian cricketer who talked down his Test readiness to the selectors.

The veteran paceman was named in a 12-man Australian squad for first Test against India starting in Brisbane on December 4, capping an eight-month recovery from knee surgery.

But Harris said he would still have no problem withdrawing beforehand if his troublesome knee didn’t feel 100 per cent.

He said he would give the selectors the green light if he backed up well in Queensland’s Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania starting on Tuesday.

“If my knee doesn’t feel right at all I will tell them, but I will do anything to play that first Test,” Harris said.

“I am not trying to unselect myself. But I am not going into it under-done. You can’t afford to drag one bloke into a Test match.”

Harris made his first-class return for the Bulls last week, inspiring Queensland’s 188-run win over NSW with seven wickets for the match and a run-a-ball second innings 50.

But he told the selectors he needed one more shield match this week to be ready to take on India.

Harris said he was just being his typically-honest self, much to chief selector Rod Marsh’s appreciation.

“I made it clear I wasn’t happy with where I was at. It’s perfect that I get another game,” Harris said.

“I don’t think it is talking it down.

“I am pretty honest, if you haven’t worked that out by now.

“Rod (Marsh) asked how I was going and he actually said ‘I appreciate your honesty’.

“I have a level that I need to be at personally.

“If I am not there I am not going to say I am 100 per cent ready to go – that’s just the way I roll I guess.”

Harris said he would judge the Shield game on his bowling consistency, not on his wicket haul.

“The more overs I bowled last week I definitely felt I was getting better,” he said.

“The consistency of putting the ball in the right spot, the length and my pace was good in patches but went down when I got a bit tired.

“If I bowl 35 overs, take two wickets and felt that I have bowled exactly where I need to be then I will be happy.”

Harris did allow himself a small pat on the back though after capping his knee recovery with a Test squad nod.

“It’s been a tough testing time but the reason I do all that is for these moments,” he said.