Ponting backs Harris' inclusion in squad

Brisbane: Ricky Ponting voiced his support for Ryan Harris to be included in the lineup for the second Ashes Test after he and fellow paceman Doug Bollinger were named on Monday in Australia’s 13-man squad for the Adelaide match.

The Australia captain is known to be a big supporter of Harris, and after a disappointing bowling display from his side during England’s 517-1 second innings in the first Test, admitted a massive improvement is needed.

Australia took just one wicket from 152 overs of England’s second innings as the first Ashes Test ended in a draw.

Harris, who along with Bollinger, will travel to Adelaide with the existing lineup ahead of the Test starting on Friday, broke into the Australian side on the tour of New Zealand in March taking nine wickets in two Tests before succumbing to a knee injury.

“There’s lots of things to like about him,” Ponting said. “The fact that he’s had such great success at international cricket shows he’s one of those guys whose just meant to be playing.”

In addition to being impressed with performance in New Zealand, Ponting believes Harris is ideally suited to bowling at Adelaide Oval.

“He came into international cricket and had immediate success,” Ponting said. “He’s a great competitor, he runs in all day for you and is the sort of guy who will bowl the right length for Adelaide conditions.

“He’ll run in and bang the ball in down there, which is crucial if you’re going to get the best out of the Adelaide wicket, and if it happens to reverse swing he can do that as well.”

The 31-year-old Harris only returned to action for Queensland against Ponting’s Tasmania this month, but Ponting does not believe the injury will cause him any problems.

“He certainly got through the (Sheffield) Shield game well in Hobart a couple of weeks ago and I understand he’s getting through the Shield game he’s playing at the moment particularly well,” Ponting said.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to, fitness staff-wise, believe the injury that he had would be fine for a Test match. We’ll get a good look at him in Adelaide and see where he’s at but it’s nice to have him back around the group.

“If we get a flat wicket in Adelaide we have to make sure we are a whole lot better than we were in this game.

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