The Kings XI Punjab bowler has been sent back to Australia with an Achilles injury.
Less than two days after announcing their 16-man Ashes squad to tour England, Australia have received the news that Ryan Harris has flown back from the IPL with an injury.
Harris plays for Kings XI Punjab and featured in the franchise’s first three matches of the 2013 season before sustaining an injury to his Achilles tendon.
The bowler was monitored by the Kings XI management and then after consultation with the Cricket Australia (CA) medical team the 33-year-old was flown home to rehabilitate.
The injury will definitely rule him out for the rest of the IPL, which will be a big disappointment for Punjab, but CA are confident Harris will be fit in time for the Ashes – which starts in July.
“Harris has been ruled out for six to eight weeks, so it was best for him to be released and recover at home,” Kings XI chief operating officer Arvinder Singh told ESPNcricinfo.
The paceman has a history of fitness problems and was out for the start of the Australian domestic season.
Harris did recover in time to play three Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland and his 19 wickets in those games were enough to earn him an Ashes call up.
The bowler enjoyed a run of 12 Test matches for Australia between 2010 and 2012, taking 47 wickets at an average of 23.63.
However, Harris hasn’t featured in the five-day team for over a year but is one of a number of recalls to an Australian Ashes squad that is being touted as one of the weakest for many years.
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