Published: Jul 07, 2013, 11:17 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 07, 2013, 11:17 AM (IST)
Damien Fleming (above) said Ryan Harris is an aggressive bowler © Getty Images (File Pic)
Sydney: Jul 7, 2013
Australia’s former Test fast bowler Damien Fleming feels Ryan Harris is a bonus in the national team and feels he is class act.
“Ryan is a real bonus. As long as he’s fit I reckon he’s ready to go,” Fleming was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.
“If Ryan Harris was younger and we knew he could play five Tests … he would probably be the spearhead.”
“But he came off nothing this season to play Shield games and then the Shield final. We saw then (seven wickets) he’s just a class act. He bowls full, he swings the ball. He’s aggressive.”
The 43-year-old said Harris is strong and he doesn’t need much practice like young pacers as he knows his game better.
“He’s strong and a naturally, very aerobically fit bowler.”
“Also he doesn’t need as much cricket as the younger guys because he knows his game very well.”
Fleming warned young Australian pacers from getting too excited in Ashes.
“You are attacking but you’ve got to manage your expectations sometimes when it’s moving around everywhere. The expectation is they’re playing and missing,” he said.
“But we know bowling builds on patience … so that mental side of things with a young bowling group is crucial.
Fleming asked the players to assess the condition and match situations accordingly.
“You need to assess the conditions and the match situation continually and then you implement your plan and you stick with it.
“You bowl as a group as well. Hunt in a pack, so even if you’re not getting wickets at one end you’re building a lot of pressure knowing if you continue to bowl like that through the series you’re going to have a fair bit of success,” he concluded.
