Thursday 11 March 2010

Ryan Harris may soon have to make another visit to a tattoo parlour.

The popular XXXX GOLD Bull has the southern cross and his ODI number 169 tattooed on his forearm.

In a week’s time, he may have to ink another number into his skin, Test player No.413.

It has been a remarkable journey for Harris, who played only one first-class game for the Bulls this summer because of knee problems, says Greg Buckle from AAP.

"I had two operations on my knee in the winter. I was very very close to getting another one, a cartilage repair, which would have ended my season," Harris told AAP.

"I went down to Melbourne and had a second opinion and lucky I did. The doctor stuck me with some needles and it seems to have worked so far.

"To be able to get back to where I am and take wickets ... it has been very relieving.

"Getting back in the Australian team, it happened so quickly. It has been a good summer."

Picked on standby for the third ODI against Pakistan in Adelaide two months ago, Harris thought it looked like he may only play one game. Again.

Instead, he has taken 27 wickets in 10 ODI matches this summer.

"To be able to play cricket for your country is a big deal," he said. "I promised myself, I didn't want to be that one-hit wonder and I still don't.

"It (tattoo) is a bit of a reminder that I didn't want to do it once. I want to do it as much as I can.

"I love being Australian. I love playing for my country.

"For me to play Test cricket would be a dream come true. I'm trying not to think about it."

Harris already has two three-wicket hauls in the current ODI series which Australia leads 2-1 and can sew up with another victory today.