Australian Test paceman Ryan Harris says growing up in Adelaide’s northern suburbs helped him become a great cricketer

AUSTRALIAN Test paceman Ryan Harris says growing up in Adelaide’s northern suburbs taught him never to quit.

AUSTRALIAN Test paceman Ryan Harris says growing up in the northern suburbs taught him never to quit.

Harris’ trademark grit, determination and guts — forged as a youngster at Northern Districts Cricket Club — came to the fore in this summer’s Test victories against South Africa and England.

“I try to keep things simple and you only lose faith when you give up,” Harris, who arrived back in Australia last week for knee surgery, says.

“Luckily I have never given up.

“The injuries have been frustrating but you just have to look at what you have to do to get back, whether it is running, weights, I just make sure I do it.”

TELL US BELOW: What do you admire most about Harris?

It is a message he is keen to pass on to northern youths.

“Whatever you do, you just have to follow it through, whether sport, work or life.

“I just want to see some things open up for the northern kids, they need some better opportunities to get better. Follow your dreams.”

Harris moved to Elizabeth North from Sydney as a three year old and lived with his nan before his family settled in Salisbury Park.

Harris celebrates as he takes the last wicket for an Australia win, on Day 5 of the third Test match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands in Capetown earlier this month. Photo: Luigi Bennett AFP Photo

It was as a 10-year-old kid sending thunderbolts down for Salisbury Heights Primary that his talents were recognised.

“I remember at school there was a teacher Stewart Russell who saw me playing cricket at lunch and got me out to play in the school team,” Harris, 34, says.

The rest is history and he now boast 103 wickets from 24 Tests.

“Test cricket was always a dream and after the success of the guys in Australia in the Ashes, and recently in South Africa, you have to pinch yourself.”

He says the north will always be home and when he can he returns to Salisbury, where his dad Jim still lives.

He also makes time to have a beer and share yarns with old mates from Northern Districts Cricket Club.

“It’s always been home, the northern suburbs, that’s why I’ve made a point to come back,” Harris says.

“It’s shattering to hear the news Holden is going to close down because I know how important it is to the community out there.

“Being a Doggies supporter, I know it’s a big part of the place.

“I’m the first to jump down someone’s throat when they (verbally) smash us northerners a bit.”

RECOLLECTIONS OF A PE TEACHER

EVEN as a skinny 10-year-old kid Ryan Harris had something special about him when it came to sending the red cherry down the pitch, his former PE Teacher Stewart Russell says.

Mr Russell, now 57, recalls seeing Australian Test paceman Harris as a Year 4 student bowling in the nets during lunch time at Salisbury Heights Primary School in the late 1980s.

He knew instantly this tiny kid had guts, determination and a love of the sport.

Ryan showed immense promise as a youngster at Salisbury Heights Primary School ... early this month he took the winning wicket in Cape Town, South Africa, to secure Australia’s win in a Test series. Picture: Morne de Klerk, Getty Images.

And it was no surprise to see him bowl through pain – he needed to get fluid taken out of his need with a syringe – to deliver Australia a Test series win in South Africa this month.

“He was only a small fella,” Mr Russell recalls.

“One day the Year 7 kids in the school’s cricket team approached me and said I had to watch this kid bowl and get him on the team.

“I saw him bowl and I knew he could play, he was just a talent.

“He was a quiet achiever and even though he was small and skinny, he had this rhythm and was a lot quicker than he looked.”

Harris told the Northern Messenger last week he credits Mr Russell, who still teaches in Adelaide’s north, with giving him his first cricket opportunity and setting the foundation for his love of the sport.

Mr Russell said it was during a SAPSASA match against a rival school that Harris’ trademark determination came to the fore.

“Every time he took to the field, he wanted to be a leader or lead by example,” he says.

“One day there was this left-hand paceman – a cocky, quick looking kid who was terrorising our batsmen.

“I’ll never forget Ryan coming to the crease and first ball, straight-driving this kid for four.

“Ryan said nothing, just stood there and the kid bowling didn’t know what hit him.”

TELL US BELOW: What do you admire most about Harris?