Cricket World Player of the Week - Ryan Harris

Cricket World Player of the Week - Ryan Harris

Ryan Harris (right) was in excellent form during the first Test in Barbados.

©REUTERS/Brandon Malone. Picture Supplied by Action Images

With the Indian Premier League well underway, international cricket has taken something of a back seat over the past week with just two teams in action. Australia and West Indies played out a thrilling finish to the first Test in Barbados early in the week and began the second Test in Trinidad yesterday.

Ryan Harris was named man of the match in Barbados, making him the obvious choice for this week’s Cricket World Player of the Week. The Queensland fast-bowler hit a career-best 68 not out in Australia’s first innings and was at the crease when the winning runs were hit in the second. He also managed to take three for 31 with the ball in the home side’s second innings – including collecting the prized scalp of Shiv Chanderpaul along the way.

The 32 year-old made his international debut in 2009 in a One-Day International against South Africa, and followed that up with a Test debut in 2010. He was one of few impressive performers during Australia’s poor 2010-11 Ashes series, and, in spite of his susceptibility to injuries – he has a chronic knee problem – he has become one of Australia’s best bowlers in Test cricket, collecting 46 wickets in all at an average of 22.63.

Other contenders for this week’s award included Michael Clarke, who made 73 in Australia’s first innings; Shane Watson, who recorded back-to-back half-centuries; Ben Hilfenhaus, courtesy of his four for 27 in West Indies’ second innings collapse; and Narsingh Deonarine, who so nearly pulled off the unthinkable for the hosts with four late wickets in Australia’s run chase.

© Cricket World 2012