Ryan Harris plans to starve England’s batsmen of crucial pink ball practice
ENGLAND enters the Ashes in a “huge” hole without premier all-rounder Ben Stokes and Ryan Harris is plotting to pile on the misery for Joe Root’s men before the first Test.
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ENGLAND enters the Ashes in a “huge” hole without premier all-rounder Ben Stokes and Ryan Harris is plotting to pile on the misery for Joe Root’s men in Adelaide.
England commences a four-day, day-night tour match against Harris’ Cricket Australia XI starting on Wednesday at Adelaide Oval.
Former Test spearhead Harris aims to send the tourists to Brisbane with dented confidence and little insight into success with the pink ball vitals ahead of the second, day-night Test in Adelaide.
Vice-captain Stokes remains in England while a police investigation into a brawl in Bristol last September unfolds. Stokes could arrive, at the earliest, for the third Test in Perth from December 14 at best.
“It is huge. (Stokes is) the one who if England lose wickets at the top, steadies or counter attacks. It is a big hole for England to be honest. I am sure Australia is happy he is not here but also want to beat the best,” said Harris who tormented England with 57 Ashes scalps at 20 in 12 Ashes Tests.
“Time will tell if he comes.”
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Harris noted England’s underwhelming display against a Western Australian XI last weekend in Perth where only James Anderson excelled. Harris wants to send the Old Enemy into a funk before the November 23 Ashes opener at the Gabba.
“I know going into these sort of tours your warm up games can set the tone for the tour, you don’t want to lose. Our job is to make it as tough as we can,” said Harris.
Harris wants to reduce exposure to England’s batsmen during the twilight period that has proven prohibitive for batsmen, as underlined by Mitchell Starc’s pink ball 8/73 against South Australia in Adelaide last month.
“We are not here to make it easy for England,” warned Harris.
“When it gets to dusk the grass almost seems to sit up and is zips around. We saw in the Shield game Starc got it to talk a bit around that time when the sun goes down. It can be tough to bat around that time.
“That is where we will make it as hard as we can for England, hopefully they are not batting around that time, that is my plan.”
Harris highly regards England’s attack – spearheaded by James Anderson and Stuart Board. Australia’s Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and off-spinner Nathan Lyon are also ‘world class’ says Harris.
However, Australia is looking to bed down a wicketkeeper with Matt Wade, Alex Carey and Peter Nevill the frontline candidates.
Hilton Cartwright, Jake Lehmann, Callum Ferguson, Shaun Marsh are among those targeting the No.6 slots.
Harris believes selectors already know their preferred XI. Opener Matt Renshaw has four Shield failures which will concern the Australian hierarchy.
“Both squads are unsettled with their batting line-ups which brings them closer together,” said Harris
“I think Australia has a pretty good idea who they want to pick. I am sure they would be set on a couple of guys. Renshaw hasn’t got a big one so far.”
“The keeping-spot, like the No.6, whoever gets runs can get the role. Without a keeper jumping out getting runs you have to pick your best gloveman.”
Originally published as Ryan Harris plans to starve England’s batsmen of crucial pink ball practice