Harris could be a huge Ashes asset, says Steve Waugh

SYDNEY - Former Australian captain Steve Waugh believes that fast bowler Ryan Harris could be a huge Ashes asset.

“I really like the look of Harris. He is a strong competitor who is always there 100 per cent in the batsman’s face,” News.com.au quoted Waugh, as saying.

“He is someone Ricky Ponting would love to be able to throw the ball to in the tough times,” he added.

Harris had stormed on to the international cricket stage this year when he took nine wickets in two Tests against New Zealand.

The 31-year-old has also enjoyed a staggering start to his ODI career with 41 wickets at 16.12.

However, a knee injury had forced him out of the tour of England.

Harris is currently planning to dismiss Ricky Ponting to force his way into the Australian side for the Ashes series.

Harris will face Ponting during the Sheffield Shield clash between Queensland and Tasmania in Hobart.

“Bowling to Ricky will be a good gauge of where I’m at and it will give him a first-hand look of how I’m bowling. “It would be even better if I got him out - that’s what I’m planning,” Harris said.

“It’s really good timing for me in that way. If he sees that I’m bowling well it can’t do my (Australian) chances any harm at all. In some ways I’m in two minds, I don’t know whether to get him out or get him in form for the Ashes,” he added. (ANI)