Ricky Ponting has given a ringing Ashes endorsement to injury-plagued former Test paceman Ryan Harris, saying he could be among the world’s best bowlers.
Harris single-handedly dragged Queensland back into the Sheffield Shield final against Ponting’s Tasmania on day four with a blistering spell of 4-6 in 5.3 overs.
The 33-year-old has pulled through a mountain of work in his three Shield games back for the Bulls after undergoing shoulder surgery last year, including 54 overs in Hobart.
The wickets have also been mounting while Australia has struggled in India, and Ponting said selectors would be taking notice.
“He’s one of the best bowlers in Australia when he’s fit, there’s no doubt about that, and I think everyone around the country knows that,” Ponting said.
“I think all the selectors know that. I think the current players in the Australian team know that as well.
“It’s great to see him, what seems to be, injury-free.
“He’s a class bowler and when he’s up and going, he can be as good as anyone in world cricket, not just Australian cricket.
“Now that he’s got those few games under his belt and bowled as well as he did yesterday, I’m sure the selectors will start thinking about him for the Ashes tour again.”
Former Test batsman and Bulls coach Darren Lehmann backed Ponting’s assessment.
“He’d be the first one I’d pick,” Lehmann said.
Harris was among several players to put their hands up in a hard-fought final played on an unforgiving pitch.
Man-of-the-match James Faulkner made 46 and 89 and took 4-60, also earning praise from the former Australian skipper.
“What he is is an unbelievable competitor,” Ponting said.
” … When there’s a game on the line, he’s the guy that most of the time steps up for Tasmania.”
Former Test keeper Tim Paine stood up at a crucial time with 87 after a tough campaign following two years out of the game with injury.
Young Tasmanian opener Jordan Silk scored his second straight Shield hundred in just his third game.
Ponting said formats had changed to accommodate Twenty20 cricket but the depth in the domestic competition was still there, despite Australia’s disastrous 4-0 series loss in India.
“I think there’s enough talent around,” he said.
“The depth of talent that we’ve got in Australia is still very, very good and would be very comparable to any other country around the world.”