Fast bowler's body art a permanent reminder

MARK TAYLOR/Waikato Times

ON THE BALL: Ryan Harris in action in Napier.

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Aussie fast bowler Ryan Harris certainly wears his heart on his sleeve.

Well, maybe not his heart, but definitely two of the things he holds most dear in life, in the shape of a tattoo on the underside of his left arm.

A journeyman state bowler until just over a year ago, the 30-year-old made his one-day international debut for Australia in January last year. Probably lucky to have made it that far, an injury to Peter Siddle this summer has seen him play 10 more matches and establish himself as a fixture in the side.

Harris now boasts a one-day record of 28 wickets at 14.75 and whenever he feels tired or decides it's just not his day, all he has to do is look down at the tattoo.

"It's just a reminder that when I played my first game [for Australia] I wanted to play again and it's just my playing number [169] and obviously the mighty Southern Cross," Harris said of his body art.

"I love being Australian, I love playing for my country and to be able to represent your country, I guess in any sport, is a big deal. It's something I did once last year and I tried to promise myself that I didn't want to be that one-hit wonder."

But knee trouble meant he very nearly was. Harris had two operations last winter, and had scheduled a third, before a doctor in Melbourne found a less invasive remedy.

So rather than sitting out the entire summer, Harris now finds himself on the brink of being named in Australia's test side.

That was expected to be announced already but has been delayed following the sudden departure to Sydney of vice-captain Michael Clarke for personal reasons.

The two-test series begins in Wellington on March 19 and such is Harris' form that he might have to get another playing number inked in next to the Southern Cross.

"For me to play test cricket would be a dream come true. I guess I'm thinking about it but I'm trying to concentrate on the series I'm playing now," he said.

Australia leads the five-match one-day series 2-1, coming into game four at Eden Park today.

- © Fairfax NZ News