12 Dec 2013

Harris battling sore knee before WACA Test

5:58 am on 12 December 2013

Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris is nursing a sore knee and is in doubt for the third Ashes cricket Test against England in Perth.

The hosts have fielded the same line-up in the first two Ashes Tests but that might change on Friday, with Harris under a cloud - though the Queensland quick will attempt to bowl at today's team net session.

The 34-year-old reported stiffness during the Adelaide Test which finished on Monday.

Pacemen Doug Bollinger, Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Faulkner, who was 12th man in Adelaide, are possible candidates to replace Harris if he fails to prove his fitness.

Harris has a tremendous record of 79 wickets at just over 22 runs apiece in 18 matches.

His fitness has been a concern for Australia, however, and he's played only six of Australia's 12 Tests in 2013.

The Perth pitch is tipped to be fast and bouncy and suited to Australia's pace attack.

Australia lead the five-match series 2-0 and will reclaim the Ashes with victory in Perth.