Australia's Harris suffers Ashes setback
Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris suffered a blow on Wednesday with recurrence of the knee trouble.
LONDON (AFP) - Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris s hopes of being fit for next week s first Ashes Test suffered a blow on Wednesday with a recurrence of the knee trouble that has blighted his career.
The setback ruled him out of the team s final warm-up match against Essex.
The 35-year-old paceman underwent major surgery to his right knee last year and put himself on a lengthy fitness programme in a bid to be fit in time to face England at Cardiff s Sophia Gardens from July 8.
Although officials labelled Harris s latest injury, which saw him replaced by Peter Siddle for the four-day game against Essex, as nothing more serious than "soreness" it may well be enough to keep him out of the side when Australia launch their defence of the Ashes.
Harris missed Australia s recent series win in the West Indies in order to be present for the birth of his child.
"We pulled him out because he s sore, he s going to get some scans done and we ll have a better idea in a day or two," Australia coach Darren Lehmann told www.cricket.com.au.
The match against Essex saw home captain Ravi Bopara, the England all-rounder, win the toss and field despite soaring temperatures expected to hit 34 degrees Celsius.
Opener Chris Rogers (21) was caught behind off Thomas More and the young Essex bowler had two wickets in two balls when, with his next delivery, he had Australia captain well caught at backward short leg for a duck by Ryan ten Doeschate to leave Australia 60 for two.
But David Warner blazed his way to 94 before falling just short of a hundred before luch when caught by Bopara at third slip off Jamie Porter, with Australia 135 for three at the interval.
