Australian bowler Ryan Harris has took retirement from all forms of cricket on Saturday with immediate effect.
BREAKING: Ryan Harris has announced his retirement from all cricket effective immediately #Ashes
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 4, 2015
The 35-year-old has battled with a right-knee problem, forcing him to miss the next week’s Ashes series which is to be played on English soil.
The veteran has claimed 113 wickets in 27 Tests and 44 wickets in 21 ODIs.
“Given the news I received yesterday, and after talking it over with my family, I know now is the right is the time to step away from cricket,” Harris is quoted as saying by Cricket Australia’s official website.
“I’m pretty lucky, I have had a wonderful career and nothing made me prouder than pulling on the Baggy Green. I played 27 more Tests than I ever thought I would and I have relished every single moment of them.”
The news comes as a major blow to the Aussies for their hopes of retaining the Ashes urn.
Meanwhile, Harris is heading back to Down Under with New South Wales’s Pat Cummins flying over to England to join Australia’s Ashes squad as a replacement option ahead of the first Test next Wednesday in Cardiff.
Ryan Harris IMO was Australia’s most dangerous threat in English conditions… #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 4, 2015
Congrats on a fantastic career Ryan Harris..Great bowler and a even better bloke…. Massive blow for Australia … #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 4, 2015
Genuinely gutted to hear that. He’s a top bloke. Always was tough to face. Wish him all the best.
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) July 4, 2015
Congratulations to Ryan Harris on a great career. His record speaks for itself and he’s a great guy too. A massive blow for the Aussies.
— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) July 4, 2015
Sorry to hear your knee hasn’t recovered Rhino but congrats on everything you’ve achieved. Well done mate, you’ll be missed. @r_harris413
— Glenn McGrath (@glennmcgrath11) July 4, 2015
Sad news that Ryan Harris has had to retire..amazing bowler and brilliant bloke..
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) July 4, 2015
Congratulations on a fantastic career Rhino. Great bowler, even better bloke. #RyanHarris
— Jason Gillespie (@YCCCDizzy) July 4, 2015
Really sad to hear this, great competitor and from the beers I’ve shared with him a top top bloke
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) July 4, 2015