8 Jan 2014

Harris to delay having surgery

12:45 pm on 8 January 2014

The Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris needs surgery on his troublesome knee but the Ashes hero says he'll delay the operation to be a part of the team's tour to South Africa next month.

The injury-prone 34-year-old, who has rarely lasted a full series for Australia, considered having surgery during the 5-0 Ashes whitewash of England but it would have ruled him out of last two Tests.

Instead he played through pain and took eight wickets to bag the man-of-the-match award in the final test at Sydney.

With 22 scalps to his name, Harris emerged as the second highest wicket-taker in the Ashes for Australia behind fellow quick Mitchell Johnson.

He needs to remove fragments of floating bone from his right knee but is confident it won't hamper him from bowling against the top-ranked Test team in the world.

Australia will play three Tests in South Africa starting with the first match in Centurion from February 12th.