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Joe Weatherley top-scores with 42 before bowlers close out victory

ECB Reporters' Network11-Jun-2021Chris Wood lead a superb defensive bowling display as Hampshire Hawks beat Essex Eagles by 13 runs to get their Vitality Blast competition rolling.Left-arm fast bowler Wood’s four overs went for just 15, along with the scalp of Aron Nijjar, with fellow homegrown star Liam Dawson returning a miserly 1 for 17.Joe Weatherley top-scored with 42 as the Hawks struggled to 155 but despite Tom Westley’s 44 the Eagles were bowled out for 142 – losing their last five wickets for 22 runs.Hampshire were stuck in and were contained well by the Essex bowlers as they reached 39 for the loss of James Vince – aggressively pulling Sam Cook to midwicket – in the powerplay.Simon Harmer, for the second match in succession, struck with his second delivery to york Tom Alsop.Cook took career-best T20 figures against Somerset and once again impressed with analysis of 2 for 21 as he had Australian D’Arcy Short caught behind by Will Buttleman – leaving the visitors 59 for 3 in eight overs.Weatherley rebuilt with Dawson and James Fuller through 35 and 33-run stands without any explosion to the run rate.Dawson was stumped off Harmer and Weatherley – having notched 42 from 34 balls – picked out deep midwicket to leave Hampshire facing a below-par total.But James Fuller plopped Jamie Porter for back-to-back sixes back over his head at the River End in the penultimate over to boost the tally, before he skied to cover.Buttleman lasted only seven balls on debut before he hooked Brad Wheal to fine leg.Michael Pepper also departed in the powerplay, caught behind attempting to sweep Dawson, as Essex reached 41 in the first six overs.The impetus was raised as Paul Walter lifted Mason Crane for sixes into the Hayes Close End houses from the first over of the leg-spinner’s first two overs.Westley also lofted over the straight boundary, but Crane got the last laugh, and loud grunting send-off, as Walter danced past a straight one to be stumped, before Westley was run out by a Ian Holland direct hit.Ryan ten Doeschate was bamboozled by Crane, struggling for four dots before slicing to short third man – as the England spinner pulled back his first 13 balls going for 37 to end up with two for 42 from his four overs.Jimmy Neesham clubbed Wheal into the Doug Insole Pavilion with a pull to accompany some powerful fours but he was caught at midwicket with 36 still needed.Nijjar pulled to deep fine leg, Simon Harmer and Sam Cook were run out and Plom was bowled by Wheal to confirm the victory.

Knight took England’s early World Cup campaign by the scruff of the neck after an early fright against Thailand with a maiden T20I hundred

The Report by Andrew McGlashan26-Feb-2020Heather Knight took England’s early World Cup campaign by the scruff of the neck after an early fright against Thailand with a maiden T20I hundred – becoming the first woman to score centuries across all three formats – as her team secured an emphatic 98-run victory which gave them a handy net run-rate boost.The early thoughts of what could transpire at Manuka Oval, when England lost their openers in the first two overs, turned to something a touch more prosaic as Knight and Nat Sciver added an unbeaten 169 for third wicket, England’s highest stand in T20Is, followed by a professional performance in the field.At 7 for 2 after 10 balls, England were far from comfortable coming off the back of their opening defeat to South Africa, but by the end of the powerplay had settled and were rarely challenged after that. Legspinner Suleeporn Laomi bowled her for four overs for a very creditable 26 but Thailand, who pride themselves on their fielding, will have been disappointed by some the lapses.Shining KnightKnight has spent the last few days defending England’s tactics and batting order; whatever they decide to do, there is little doubt that she is key to the make-up of the side. Her form was impressive in the tri-series with back-to-back career-best scores on this ground and this time she raced to just the fourth century in T20 World Cups, plundering some increasingly wayward bowling from Thailand in excellent batting conditions. Knight was on 97 at the start of the last over and briefly lost the strike but carved a brace through backward point to reach three figures off 63 balls then marked the milestone by clubbing her fourth six over long-on. Knight and Sciver, with her second fifty in two matches, added 102 in the last 10 overs and, if they had really pushed, they may have earned a few more.The early scareThe second ball of the match Amy Jones advanced down the pitch to a yorker from Nattaya Boochatham and a brilliant piece of work from keeper Nannapat Koncharoenkai pulled off the stumping. If that was an early test of England’s nerve, it was multiplied in the next over when Danni Wyatt drove her first ball to point where Wongpaka Liengprasert held a terrific catch. Thailand were joyous. Was something extraordinary unfolding? In the end, there wasn’t, but it was another little moment in this tournament that will linger in memories. Meanwhile, England’s opening pair has not fired yet in Australia – across the tri-series that preceded the World Cup and the first two matches of the tournament their best stand is 26. With two openers batting lower down the order – Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield – it is an issue for England to ponder for two vital matches to come.England and Thailand players greet each other at the end of the match•Getty Images

Chantam’s drivesAnya Shrubsole struck with her fourth ball but there was no surge of inroads for England with the new ball. Power is something Thailand need to develop, but there are some solid techniques in the top order. Nattakan Chantam is one who has a promising game to work with and she unfurled a few very pleasing strokes, a square drive off Shurbsole and a cover drive off Sciver among the best. It was clear from the off that Thailand were purely focused on batting out the innings, which is understandable, although their development could also be helped by pushing their own boundaries.Wyatt’s rare bowlThe day before this match, while defending England’s decision to play Winfield as a No. 8 batter who doesn’t bowl, Knight said it was because they felt another bowler would be wasted. She also cited herself and Wyatt as other options with the ball. Knight is a regular bowler in T20Is, but that certainly isn’t the case for Wyatt whose bowling duties have shrunk as her batting has grown in recent years. When she was brought on for the 12th over it was just the sixth time since 2015 in T20Is that she had bowled. It was her only over of the day as England’s frontline bowlers gained some success in the latter part of the innings in a situation where they needed to create their own intensity.

The players who will be taking centre stage during the Women’s Big Bash League which starts this weekend

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2018

Adelaide Strikers

Last season: 4thSuzie Bates, Sam Betts, Sarah Coyte, Sophie Devine, Eliza Doddridge, Ellie Falconer, Danielle Hazell, Tahila McGrath, Tegan McPharlin, Bridget Patterson, Katelyn Pope, Alex Price, Tabatha Saville, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Brisbane Heat

Last season: 5thJemma Barsby, Haidee Birkett, Josie Dooley, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Delissa Kimmince, Sune Luus, Beth Mooney, Georgia Prestwidge, Kirby Short, Courtney Sippel, Laura Wolvaardt

Hobart Hurricanes

Last season: 8thStefanie Daffara, Ash Day, Erin Fazackerley, Kate Fryett, Corinne Hall, Brooke Hepburn, Heather Knight, Smriti Mandhana, Hayley Matthews, Sasha Moloney, Rhiann O’Donnell, Meg Phillips, Veronica Pyke, Georgia Redmayne, Emma Thompson

Melbourne Renegades

Last season: 6thMaitlan Brown, Zoe Cooke, Jess Duffin, Emma Inglis, Erica Kershaw, Claire Koski, Anna Lanning, Sophie Molineux, Amy Satterthwaite, Molly Strano, Lea Tahuhu, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb, Danni Wyatt

Melbourne Stars

Last season: 7thMckinlay Blows, Kristen Beams, Elly Donald, Mignon du Preez, Georgia Elwiss, Nicole Faltum, Holly Ferling, Nicola Hancock, Alana King, Lizelle Lee, Katie Mack, Erin Osborne, Chloe Rafferty, Ange Reakes, Annabel Sutherland

Perth Scorchers

Last season: 3rdMegan Banting, Nicole Bolton, Hayleigh Brennan, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Kate Cross, Lauren Ebsary, Heather Graham, Amy Jones, Emma King, Meg Lanning, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Emily Smith, Elyse Villani

Sydney Sixers

Last season: 1stSarah Aley, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Clara Iemma, Marizanne Kapp, Carly Leeson, Sara McGlashan, Ellyse Perry, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Lauren Smith, Dane van Niekerk, Tahlia Wilson

Sydney Thunder

Last season: 2ndSam Bates, Alex Blackwell, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Rene Farrell, Maisy Gibson, Lisa Griffith, Rachael Haynes, Saskia Horley, Harmanpreet Kaur, Rachel Priest, Naomi Stalenberg, Stafanie Taylor, Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa

South Africa’s new-look bowling attack have had a slightly gentle easing-in against Bangladesh and as their leader Kagiso Rabada is aware of both the potential they have and the challenges they will face in the future

Firdose Moonda in Bloemfontein07-Oct-2017Given the complete lack of a contest in this clash between South Africa and Bangladesh, there is very little that can be read into the result. It tells us only what we already know, that South Africa are a stronger team than Bangladesh, but maybe, it also tells us something more.This South African side has just about a full-strength batting line-up (AB de Villiers is the only notable absentee) but an almost entirely new-look attack. Kagiso Rabada, with 22 caps, is the most experienced member of the pack in the current XI and is now properly establishing himself as its leader. Wayne Parnell is making his umpteenth comeback, having never become a regular. Duanne Olivier and Andile Phehlukwayo are trying to make cases for more permanent places.

Bavuma has a knack of never giving up – Rabada

Temba Bavuma was the only batsman in South Africa’s top five who did not cash in on a good surface against a toothless attack but he made up for it in a milli-second in the field.
Bavuma was at gully when Mushfiqur Rahim prodded at a back-of-a-length delivery from Duanne Olivier that flew off the face and forced Bavuma into immediate action. He dived one-handed to his right and pouched the ball when it was nearly past him to dismiss the Bangladesh captain and create another moment of fielding magic, which his team-mates more than appreciated.
“It wasn’t a nice situation for Temba – you get out at times. He is the only one who didn’t score a hundred. It happens to the best. But every time when he doesn’t score with the bat, he does something in the field,” Rabada said. “He’s got that knack of never giving up. He always contributes to the team. They depend on Mushfiqur so it was an important moment in the game

Without disrespecting Bangladesh, Rabada indicated that all of them have been given a gentle easing-in, and South Africa have been allowed a glimpse into what lies ahead without much to block their view. “We were sitting down and I was speaking to Quinny saying that all the guys we played with and against at school are all in the team now and are coming up. South Africa is in good hands in the future,” Rabada, who become Test cricket’s leading wicket-taker in 2017, said. “It gets much tougher than Bangladesh, of course. You can play them in their conditions and it’s a different story. It gets harder from here. This is not it.”That South African cricket is in safe hands is a bold statement to make, not least because there are many arguments against it. The most obvious is the domestic system, which has been ravaged by Kolpaks and has not thrown up any stand-out names to compete with the current crop.Aiden Markram was the most recent one and though he has made the step-up seamlessly, there are not too many candidates who look like they will be able to do the same. In seasons to come that may change, but for now, the pressure is on the incumbents to do the job, none more so than Rabada.When South Africans think of their next “it” cricketer, they think of him. Though he went through a quiet period in England, the signs from him this summer suggest he is in good rhythm. He didn’t go as far as to confirm that, but hinted he is maturing enough to have learnt to work through setbacks.”There is expectation and there will be pressure. No-one is a Rambo, we are all human beings. You have to find ways to cope with it,” Rabada said. “The best players and the guys who have been in the longest have found ways to cope with it. Sometimes it can get bigger and you have to find a new way to deal with it. You grow as a person when things are not going your way.”Having a new coach will help. Not because the previous one – Russell Domingo, who Rabada was a supporter of – did anything wrong but because his replacement, Ottis Gibson brings fresh ideas. “He is a very stern character but at the same time he is lenient. He doesn’t beat around the bush. He cracks jokes with the guys,” the also-stern Rabada said. “He brings in his own dynamic, something as South Africans we are not particularly used to, but the guys are enjoying what he brings to the table. When we do the warm-ups, we do things in a different style and the guys enjoy it.”Like the team, Gibson’s performance also cannot be properly assessed on this series but the early signs are good. Gibson has managed to impress on his men that this assignment should be taken seriously and apart from some dropped catches in Potchefstroom, South Africa have been clinical.They’ve even been hard on themselves when it hasn’t quite gone according to plan, like when Liton Das enjoyed a period of run-scoring in the afternoon. Rabada would not like to see that repeated.”Liton Das came in at a time where the ball got a bit soft and it wasn’t doing much. He is a good player and I thought he was nice and patient and aggressive. I thought we missed our mark with him at times, giving him freebies so that’s something we have to talk about and execute tomorrow so it doesn’t happen again,” he said.Ultimately, South Africa know that if “we just stuck to our plans and at the end of the day the batsmen got themselves out”. Bangladesh’s capitulation means interest in this series will sink even lower and discussions around the standard of Test cricket between top-tier and lower-tier countries may be sparked again.For Rabada, it’s not about the gap but how South Africa have filled it. “I don’t think you can compare a first-class game to an international game, but it feels like one because there isn’t a crowd. It’s very peaceful. We didn’t take them lightly. We prepared very well and we executed our plans well. They’ve got some good players so we made sure we didn’t give them any space.”

Worcestershire pulled off a record run chase in a home Championship fixture to bring last-evening delight and New Road and leave Northants looking on in disbelief

ECB Reporters Network26-Aug-2016
ScorecardJoe Clarke’s reputation was enhanced by a record run chase•Getty Images

Worcestershire kept alive their faint hopes of winning promotion in the Specsavers County Championship when beating Northamptonshire by two wickets after declarations by both teams at New Road.Set to make 401, they had one of the available 80 overs to spare on completing their highest successful run chase in a home fixture after centuries by Daryl Mitchell – who made 107 not and 103 in the match – and Joe Clarke (125).Both batsmen were out in a burst of three wickets in five deliveries by Ben Sanderson but Ross Whiteley dipped into his one-day repertoire with four sixes in a 30-ball 45 and Ben Cox made 34 in their stand of 78 in nine overs.The game swayed again with two wickets in three balls but Joe Leach got his side over the line from the last delivery of the 79th over. The vice-captain reached an unbeaten 33 with a match-winning six off Sanderson, restoring confidence ahead of a must-win game against leaders Essex at Chelmsford, starting next Wednesday.

Rhodes salutes Mitchell

Worcestershire’s director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, saluted Daryl Mitchell for a “special” achievement in scoring two hundreds in the match to pass 10,000 first-class runs and set up an impressive win against the odds against Northants.
Rhodes said: “This club has got a wonderful history of terrific batsman and Daryl will look back on today and on this achievement and be very proud.
It’s been a tough old season for him. His run tally was down on what he would have wanted and for him score so well in this game is absolutely brilliant. Hopefully he’ll crack on and score a lot more.”

After a rain-shortened third day, a formula was devised to prevent the game from spluttering into a dead-end, although Alex Wakely may have had some reservations about exposing Northants’ weakened attack to so much bowling on a hot day.In the morning Worcestershire declared their first innings 350 behind at 201 for three and Northamptonshire halted their second innings at 50 for one.With the calculations done, the home side made a sticky start. In five overs from Rory Kleinveldt, Brett D’Oliveira was caught low down by wicketkeeper David Murphy and Tom Fell, after a couple of imposing cover drives, shouldered arms when bowled for 22.With the score 48 for two, the equation at lunchtime was 353 from 65 overs but Mitchell and Clarke batted through the afternoon, increasing the tempo as the partnership developed, and at tea the requirement was down to 202 from 35 overs.In the final session, Clarke was first to a hundred, his fourth of the season in the championship and fifth in first-class games, after hitting 16 fours from 129 balls. In the process he reached 1,000 runs in a season for the first time.Mitchell, having earlier passed 10,000 first-class in his career, then completed two centuries in a match for the third time in the championship. In his understated way, he got to the milestone with only nine fours from 160 deliveries.Their untroubled progress in putting on 232 trimmed the requirement to 133 at around six runs an over but the pressure built up with Sanderson’s intervention.From the last ball of the 57th over, Mitchell danced forward but succeeded only in slicing a catch to substitute Graeme White at point and from the first of the 59th over George Rhodes clipped a low chance to Wakely at mid-wicket.What Worcestershire could not afford was to lose Clarke as well but the worst happened when he tried to turn a ball on the leg-side but missed and was given out lbw.Northants stuck to their task all the way and were rewarded when Chad Barrett yorked Whiteley, Cox chipped Rob Keogh to mid-on and Ed Barnard gave Sanderson a fourth success with a catch behind.

In eight previous Tests between these two sides, South Africa have beaten Bangladesh seven times by an innings and once by five wickets inside four days

The Preview by Mohammad Isam in Chittagong20-Jul-2015

Match facts

Tuesday, July 21-25
Start time 0930 local (0330 GMT)1:50

Wet build-up to Chittagong Test

Big picture

In eight previous Tests between these two sides, South Africa have beaten Bangladesh seven times by an innings and once by five wickets inside four days. That record does not inspire confidence in a contest during the upcoming two-Test series, but Bangladesh’s recent limited-overs successes have created a sense of anticipation.After losing the two T20Is and the first ODI, Bangladesh bounced back to win the one-day series against South Africa with commanding victories in the last two games. Though their leadership is different in Tests – the ODI captain Mashrafe Mortaza does not play Tests – Mushfiqur Rahim’s side will include several of their short-form successes.Batsman Soumya Sarkar played Bangladesh’s last three Tests – against Pakistan and India – on the back of his limited-overs exploits, and now seamer Mustafizur Rahman is set to have a first taste of Test cricket after an exception start to his ODI career. Mustafizur will be expected to provide a much-needed edge to a lackluster bowling line-up. Rubel Hossain and Mohammad Shahid are the other pace bowlers in contention but Bangladesh are likely to play two at most. Spin will also be key, with Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam and Jubair Hossain forming the attack.South Africa do not have AB de Villiers so they are increasingly dependent on the captain Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy. These three will be expected to hold the batting line-up together, with Dean Elger and Reeza Hendricks at the top. The spinner could either be Simon Harmer or Aaron Phangiso while the pace attack will comprise Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander. Except for Philander, the rest have been in good Test form.Bangladesh will rely on the experience of Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes and Shakib and hope they combine effectively with the youth of Mominul Haque and Soumya to counter a dangerous bowling attack.

Form guide

Bangladesh DLDWW
South Africa WDWWD

Players to watch

Mominul Haque made two half-centuries in the two Tests against Pakistan and 30 against India. At no. 3, he adds stability to the Test team, but not having played the limited-overs games, he will need to adapt quickly to the South African side to build on his performances.South Africa coach Russell Domingo said he was looking forward to Dean Elgar making an impact in South Africa’s top order. Elgar is a compact player who could be key to how the visitors start against Bangladesh’s spinners. He is coming into this series having made scores of 208*, 122 and 79 among his last seven first-class innings for Titans in March, and 44, 20 and 98 in three innings for Surrey in June.

Team news

Mushfiqur said Litton Das would keep wicket, which means Nasir Hossain will not find a place in Bangladesh’s XI. The hosts will have to choose between a third spinner and a second seamer.Bangladesh (possible): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), 5 Shakib Al Hasan , 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Soumya Sarkar, 8 Litton Das (wk), 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Jubair Hossain/Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Rubel HossainSouth Africa are likely to open the batting with Reeza Hendricks, and will have to choose between Stiaan van Zyl and Temba Bavuma in the middle order. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is unlikely to feature in the XI, while offspinner Harmer and left-armer Phangiso are competing for one spot.South Africa (possible): 1 Reeza Hendricks, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 Hashim Amla (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 Quinton de Kock (wk), 7 Stiaan van Zyl, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Simon Harmer/Aaron Phangiso, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Morne Morkel

Pitch and conditions

The straw-coloured surface at the Zahu Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium is likely to be batting-friendly to start with before spin comes into play. The lead-up to the Test was wet and although the forecast is improving, rain could play a part.

Stats and trivia

• Among the present players, Hashim Amla has the most runs (292) and Dale Steyn has the most wickets (22) in Tests between Bangladesh and South Africa.
• There is an experience imbalance in Bangladesh’s attack. While Shakib is nearing 150 wickets, the next highest is Taijul Islam with 35.

Quotes

“We have to play to our potential. Imrul, Tamim and Mini are world class as well. Then we have Mushy and Shakib. The battle will be at the start of the game.”

A wrap of the second day of the ninth round of Ranji Trophy matches in Group C

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Dec-2012
ScorecardAmol Muzumdar scored his 28th Ranji century, third behind Ajay Sharma and Wasim Jaffer•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

In a match that belongs to the Yadavs, Services’ Suraj Yadav took six wickets to counter Jharkhand’s Ajay Yadav’s five. Services, who lead the table but can still be ousted if this round doesn’t go their way, bowled Jharkhand out for 120 to claim a considerable first-innings lead of 65.Jharkhand were going all right at 87 for 3 – one of those wickets was that of Shahbaz Nadeem – but collapsed after that. Saurabh Tiwary retired-hurt when he hurt himslef running between the wickets, and Suraj took the important wickets of Ishank Jaggi and Rameez Nemat. Jharkhand couldn’t fight the momentum, and Tiwary’s comeback didn’t make much difference either.However, Jharkhand, who need an outright win to give themselves a chance of qualifying, kept themselves interested with two Services wickets before stumps, including that of captain Soumik Chatterjee.
ScorecardAmol Muzumdar brought up his 28th Ranji century, now behind only former team-mate Wasim Jaffer and Ajay Sharma, to take Andhra to a solid 329 in Cuddapah. However, heavy rain cut short their attempt to take a first-innings lead. Kerala were 55 for 2 in reply.This was Muzumdar’s fifth century of this Ranji Trophy, also third in his last three matches, and took him to No. 3 on the run-getters list this season, behind wicketkeepers CM Gautam and Parthiv Patel. Crucially, it involved vital runs with the tail. Andhra began the day at 249 for 7, with Muzumdar on 99, but lost their eight on 253.Muzumdar, though, eked out partnerships worth 34 and 42 with Shaik Basha and DP Vijaykumar. Vijaykumar carried the confidence into the bowling, too, and removed Abhishek Hegde and Robert Fernandez before the rain arrived.
ScorecardAssam, placed third in the table, made progress towards three points with the help of the Dases, Arup and Pallavkumar. Goa began the day at 264 for 3, but Arup Das’ second five-wicket haul restricted them to 381. Overnight centurion Amogh Desai fell on 105, and the rest made only middling contributions.In reply, Assam got off to a solid start.Their openers added 113, and the only blemish was that Pallavkumar Das couldn’t convert his innings into a hundred.
ScorecardA combination of rain, bad light and fog has allowed only 23 overs to be bowled in two days in Jammu. Tripura scored 60 runs for the loss of two wickets in that period. Neither of these teams has a realistic chance to make it to the quarters.

Australia’s hopes at the Wanderers – and potentially for their home summer – took a major blow in the first session of the match when Shane Watson left the field with an injury to his right hamstring

Brydon Coverdale in Johannesburg17-Nov-2011Australia’s hopes at the Wanderers – and potentially for their home summer – took a major blow in the first session of the match when Shane Watson left the field with an injury to his right hamstring. The loss of Watson followed Australia’s decision to send the fast bowler Ryan Harris home due to a hip problem, which will place him in doubt for the first Test against New Zealand.Arguably Australia’s most important player, Watson left the field after bowling the fifth ball of his fourth over, having already made a breakthrough when he had Jacques Rudolph caught behind. It was not immediately clear how serious the injury was, but Watson’s history with hamstring complaints meant it was unlikely the Australians would risk him doing any further damage by bowling again in the match.Watson returned to the field later in the day and stood at first slip – he didn’t bowl again – and at the end of the day he was padded up ready to open the innings. However, the ICC’s new law forbidding runners means that Watson’s impact could be limited by how quickly he can make it to the other end of the pitch.While Watson is key to Australia’s setup due to his all-round abilities, the team is also without Harris, the best bowler in the side. Harris was ruled out of the Test, allowing the 18-year-old Pat Cummins to make his debut, and he was set to return to Australia immediately.”Ryan Harris had some right hip pain after the first Test in Cape Town,” Australia’s physio, Alex Kountouris, said. “He was still experiencing pain bowling during the team training session on Wednesday and has therefore been ruled out of the second Test.”He has had a number of investigations since arriving in Johannesburg that have at this stage excluded serious injury, however he will need to return to Australia for further assessment and to commence his recovery. His return to cricket will be guided by the improvement we see over the next week.”That timeframe does not bode well for his availability for the New Zealand series, which begins at the Gabba in a fortnight. Harris, 32, has been Australia’s best bowler since he made his Test debut in New Zealand early last year, easily topping the frontline bowling averages during that period with 35 victims at 21.37.However, Australia’s concern is that Harris has played only half the Tests during that time. He was sent home from the Pakistan series in England last year with a knee injury that required surgery, he suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle during the Boxing Day Ashes Test last year and again needed an operation, and he missed the final Test in Sri Lanka in September due to a hamstring strain.Three Tests is the most he has strung together in a row. The injuries to Harris and Watson leave Australia with some serious concerns ahead of the New Zealand series and the four-Test series against India that follows.Harris was to be accompanied on the plane home from South Africa by the left-arm spinner Michael Beer, who the selectors felt would benefit from match-time back home. Trent Copeland and David Warner have remained with the squad but with an Australia A match against New Zealand set to begin next Thursday, it is not out of the question that one of them could be sent to take part in that match.