Wednesday 10 March 2010

Adopted Queenslander Ryan Harris has taken another step closer to a maiden Test match appearance by being named in the 14-man squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand starting on Friday 19 March.

Harris’ selection means he will not be available for the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield final, which starts two days earlier, although all-rounder James Hopes will return from the Australian one-day side to re-join the XXXX GOLD Bulls.

Harris has been a sensation since playing his second ODI game last month, taking wickets at will and demanding a place in not just the Test squad, but the playing XI.

Victorian Clint McKay, who made his Test debut last summer, will be Harris’ main rival for the final fast bowling berth behind Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger.

“Ryan Harris, having overcome injuries at the start of the season, has played really well for Australia in the shorter formats of the game,” said national selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch.

“The NSP are confident that if Ryan gets an opportunity he has the ability to have an impact for Australia in what will be a very hard Test series against New Zealand.”

The selectors have added young NSW Blues Phil Hughes and Steve Smith to the touring party, heaping pressure on No.6 Marcus North after another failure at the Gabba this morning against Queensland.

“Phillip Hughes has also been in excellent form at state level and richly deserves his selection on the back of another fantastic season in the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield,” Hilditch said.

“Steve Smith has had an excellent Shield season, including a big century against Tasmania recently, and of course has already demonstrated his ability to cope with the pressure of international cricket. He adds great flexibility to the squad with his exciting stroke-play, leg-spin bowling and gifted fielding.”

The selectors have also named Michael Clarke in the squad, despite his mid-series departure to come home to fiancée Lara Bingle.

The first Test will be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington and the second at Hamilton.

The Test squad is:

Ricky Ponting (c) (TAS)

Michael Clarke (vc) (NSW)

Doug Bollinger (NSW)

Brad Haddin (NSW)

Nathan Hauritz (NSW)

Ryan Harris (QLD)

Phillip Hughes (NSW)

Mike Hussey (WA)

Mitchell Johnson (WA)

Simon Katich (NSW)

Clint McKay (VIC)

Marcus North (WA)

Steven Smith (NSW)

Shane Watson (NSW)