Is Harris the most potent Aussie bowler?

Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris is the most potent of his side's bowling attack despite being “too squat and too old”, according to the English media.

The Guardian states that a late debutant, Harris was overlooked by the national selectors early in his domestic career given that he was a bit of a gamble, and was only brought in after the shocking discovery, both to himself and to batsmen, that he could bowl fast.

Stating that the “saving grace” for Australia is the fact that they have potent, if not consistent, fast bowlers of Harris' and Mitchell Starc's ilk, the report said that despite a fit and in form Peter Siddle and upcoming substantial Test bowlers like James Pattinson, Jackson Bird and Pat Cummins, Harris takes wickets more quickly than any of his peers.

According to the report, the 33-year-old Harris is an unlikely fast bowler as his age and physical characteristics are not upto the modern standards, although the right-armer has taken eleven wickets at 18, in the current Ashes series and a total of 58 at 22 in Tests.

The report further said that Harris is reminiscent of former England bowling spearhead Darren Gough as he too skids and swings the ball, which often seems to arrive sooner than the batsman expects, adding that Harris befuddled England captain Alastair Cook on Monday to that extent that Cook asked for a wasted review, having missed the ball. 

The report also said that Harris makes Siddle look like a thoroughbred, who, at the moment, is gliding smoothly up to the crease and hitting the seam at will, adding that captain Michael Clarke may be soon be persuaded to give him a crack with the new ball.