Before Ryan Harris puts his hand up for a four-day cricket match, he knows he should be good for more than four overs.
The former Test paceman made an impressive start to his interstate comeback on Saturday in Queensland’s one-day match against Victoria at the MCG.
But he quickly ran out of puff and had to leave the field at one stage because of cramps.
It means Harris will not play the Sheffield Shield match against the Bushrangers beginning Monday at the MCG.
Harris squared up opener Rob Quiney with a superb delivery and had the left-hander caught in slips at the start of the Victorian innings.
His first four-over spell yielded 1-4.
But Harris conceded 0-26 from his next three overs and did not bowl again.
“It was good to get an early wicket, put the ball in the right spot and get a bit of swing and I had a little bit of pace there as well,” he told Fox Sports.
“But I obviously ran out of puff fairly quickly – it’s about getting that energy back up.”
Harris has taken months to overcome shoulder and hip injuries.
He has not played Test cricket since last April’s West Indies tour.
The 33-year-old had hoped to play in next week’s Shield match, but quickly realised that would be too soon.
“Obviously not having that bowling and running out of gas as quickly as I did today, it’s sort of put me back in my place pretty quickly,” he said.
“It was a bit hot and I do sweat a bit, so that’s all it was, just come off and get my calves rubbed.
“Hopesy (captain James Hopes) kept coming to me and asking me to bowl, but I couldn’t — every time I chased the ball I was quite sore.”
Saturday’s game was a baby step for Harris, who has not given up on making a late run for this year’s Ashes tour.
“But it’s a long way away,” he said.
“All I’m focusing on now is getting back into Shield cricket.”