The Ashes 2013: Five players to look out for in the fifth Test

Ryan Harris(R)

4. Ryan Harris (65 runs and 20 wickets)

The burly pacer from Queensland has played only three of the five games so far, but has stamped his class on each with his lion-hearted performances. His magical haul of 7/117 in the fourth Test also wasn’t enough to prevent his side from hurtling towards another defeat.

Not only does Harris bring in that extra yard or two of pace, he has led the pace attack admirably in the wake of injuries sustained by some of his fellow fast bowlers. He knows how to swing the ball and is very accurate despite his bulk. Harris has also made good contributions with the bat in the lower order, as his 65 runs from three matches suggest.

Skipper Michael Clarke admitted at the end of the last game that he had let down his wicket-taking strike bowler. Having been cleared for the Oval Test, Harris knows he has to come up with another powerful performance if Australia are to regain some of their lost pride.