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I could have played for England: Harris

Australia pace bowler Ryan Harris, who scalped 5/72 to torment England in the first innings of the second Test in progress at Lord’s, revealed he could have been an Ashes hero for the hosts. 

Sydney-born Harris has a British passport because his father was born in Leicester and, while playing for English county Sussex in 2008, he had considered committing himself to his dad’s country of birth.

But Queensland, impressed by his form for Sussex, moved in to sign him on condition he committed himself to Australia. Speaking to mediapersons at the ECB office, Harris said: ‘Last time I was in this building I had a meeting with (former England captain) Mike Gatting about that passport.

‘I travelled here to play a little bit, and having an English passport made it a bit easier. But my father moved over to Australia when he was 10 or 11, so he was brought up as an Aussie and raised me and my brother up as Aussies. It was a messy situation. I had a really good offer for Queensland that came through at the time and that’s when I thought I might have one last crack at trying to play for Australia. 

Obviously, it was the right move., Harris said. Commenting on his return to the Test fold, Harris said, ‘It was a great feeling to be back. Having that new ball in my hand at Lord’s felt pretty special,’ Harris said. The  seamer has taken 47 wickets at 23.63 from his 12 previous Tests.
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