Australian pacer Ryan Harris announces retirement from International Cricket

Australian pacer Ryan Harris announces retirement from International Cricket: Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris has decided to call off his international career a week before the first Test of the Investec Ashes.

This will be effecting Australia’s plans to defeat England on their home soil for the first time since 2001 as two sets of scans during the tour match against Essex confirmed that Harris, has been struggling with his right knee would be unable to get himself right in time to take part in this series.

As a result, Harris who had a good friendship with injuries thought out his career, decided to retire from International Cricket. Due to injury, he was ruled out from the Australia’s World Cup campaign in order to give himself the best chance to play against England. Harris’ final international match was the Sydney Test against India in January.

Harris issued his statement with the cricket.com.au website: “Given the news I received yesterday, and after talking it over with my family, I know now is the right is the time to step away from cricket,” Harris said. “I’m pretty lucky, I have had a wonderful career and nothing made me prouder than pulling on the baggy green.”

“I played 27 more Tests than I ever thought I would and I have relished every single moment of them. I couldn’t have played with a better bunch of blokes and walking away from the team and our support staff is probably the hardest thing to stomach right now. This is a very special team and I know they will do Australia proud in this Ashes series. I know I will certainly be watching every ball.” Said the 35-year-old Pacer.

“I am lucky enough to have a wonderful family who have supported me through the ups and downs of my career and I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life with them and spending time with my new son Carter. Whatever is next for me, and I don’t know what that is right now, I know it will still involve cricket as that is what I love and I want to be able to give back to the game that has given me so much.”

Cricket Australia has named Pat Cummins as Harris’ replacement for the tour. Cummins was supposed to take part in the Australia A tour of India but will now fly to join the Australians ahead of the Cardiff Test. Harris, however will not be flying back to home immediately as he will remain with the team as a source of advice to the younger bowlers.

After nearly playing for a decade in domestic circuit, Harris made into international cricket by making his Test debut against New Zealand in 2010 at age of 30. Despite of playing less game due to struggling with major injuries, his high pace, consistent swing and seam, major injuries, made him one of the most effective Australian pace bowlers of all time.

His best performances came when he picked 46 wickets across nine Tests in Ashes series’ he played during 2013-14 in England and as well as at home.

The Australian coach Darren Lehmann, a former state team-mate and longtime mentor of Harris, described him as “one of the most talented players I have ever seen.”

Lehman was quoted saying, “Ryan always gave it his all for his country and he epitomizes everything the baggy green stands for,” Lehmann said. “His never-say-die attitude was his signature as he left absolutely nothing on the field each time he played and I think that is something for which he should be incredibly proud.”

“His beautiful wife Cherie and his new son Carter, his dad Jim, his late mum Gai and his brother Gavin will be so proud of him and what he has achieved and the legacy he leaves behind. The team and I are certainly very proud of everything he has achieved on and off the field and we wish him all the best in whatever he decides to do next,” said Lehman.