The snorter of a delivery that set up another Queensland cricket title also ensured Ryan Harris is no longer Australia’s forgotten paceman.
After a long injury layoff, the former Test quick could be starting to build a case for a return to the national squad ahead of this year’s Ashes tour.
Harris was named man of the match for his 4-26 after the Bulls beat Victoria by two runs on Wednesday night in an epic one-day final at the MCG.
The Bushrangers only needed four runs from the last over to tie the match, which would have given them the title.
After conceding two singles, Harris produced the final twist in a game full of momentum swings.
His outstanding short ball produced an edge from Clint McKay, who was looming as Victoria’s match winner, and wicketkeeper Chris Hartley took a great overhead catch.
Fawad Ahmed was caught at first slip off the next delivery to end the match.
A national recall remains a long way off for Harris, who only returned to the Queensland team less than a fortnight ago and is yet to play a Sheffield Shield match this season.
But his Wednesday night heroics would suggest Harris is a small blip on the outer reaches of the Test selectors’ radar.
“It’s probably the wrong time to be coming back with not many games left,” Harris said.
“It’s probably more about just getting back bowling.
“The guys who are there at the moment are doing a bloody good job so … I don’t expect to walk back in.
“I’ve got to make sure I’m consistently bowling well.
“If I bowl well enough and they need me, they’ll pick me.”
Harris had a lengthy recovery from shoulder surgery and last played Test cricket 10 months ago in the West Indies.
Victorian captain Cameron White, who has played alongside Harris in the Australian one-day team, has no doubt the paceman remains an international talent.
“As you saw … if he’s fit and up and running, he’s lethal – especially his white-ball form,” White said.
“His white-ball record for Australia is bloody outstanding.
“It’s great for Ryan and for Queensland and Australian cricket to see him back on the park, because he’s worked hard and he’s a bloody good fella as well.”
