Ryan Harris      

Full name Ryan James Harris

Born October 11, 1979, Nowra, New South Wales

Current age 30 years 44 days

Major teams Australia, Deccan Chargers, Queensland, South Australia, Surrey, Sussex

Nickname Ryano

Playing role All-rounder

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm medium

Height 5 ft 10 in

An eye-catching allrounder, Ryan Harris was elevated to national duty in 2008-09 when called for an ODI against South Africa in Hobart. He returned 1 for 54 in a useful welcome, but was not required for any more action even though he stayed with the squad. In his first season for Queensland he delivered with the ball, finishing with 33 victims at 26.48 before breaking his foot stopping a drive late in the season. Harris, who was also effective in the limited-overs formats, recovered to play for Deccan Chargers in the IPL and the Bulls will look for more from him in 2009-10.

Harris finally showed his talent in the state arena in 2006-07 with his maiden first-class half-century, his first Pura Cup five-wicket haul and his last-ball heroics in a one-day game. He followed up in 2007-08 with consistent performances that earned him a spot in the Pura Cup Team of the Year as 12th man, with best bowling of 7 for 108, and was South Australia's top wicket-taker with 37 at 29.86. Adding in his average of 24.20 and it was hard to see why the Redbacks didn't try harder to stop him moving to Queensland. In a busy end to the season, he swapped states and joined Sussex on his British passport, playing one game before the English county realised Harris had signed with Queensland as a local.

Harris arrived as a first-class bowler in 2006-07 against Western Australia when he swung the ball menacingly and finished with match figures of 8 for 140. In four outings they were his only first-class victims for the summer, but he also impressed with a fighting 74 in Melbourne. That season he was South Australia's leading Twenty20 wicket-taker with seven at 11.57 and was second on the FR Cup list with 11 at 34.72. His limited-overs highlight was lofting a six over long-on from the final ball against Queensland when the Redbacks needed five for victory. Until two seasons ago, Harris had found it difficult to fine-tune both his lower-order batting and his right-arm medium pace to the standard required at state level. A 2002 Academy graduate, Harris toured India with the squad in the same year.
Cricinfo staff May 2009

Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy 2002

May 22, 2009

Ryan Harris celebrates a wicket in an amazing opening over

© Associated Press

May 16, 2009

Ryan Harris and his Deccan Chargers team-mates celebrate a wicket

© Associated Press

Jan 19, 2009

Ryan Harris in action for Queensland

© Getty Images

View the full index of related photos »