February 2010 - Queensland Cricket

COMMONWEALTH BANK xxxx SERIES AT THE GABBA 4Cricket’s two summer sensationscollide in whatshould be an enthrallingcontest at the Gabba onSunday when Chris Gayleand Ryan Harris go headto-head.Gayle has taken Australiaby storm, winning a legionof admirers – young andold – for his Calypso demeanourand explosivebatting craftsmanship.Adopted Queenslander Harrisburst into the nationalspotlight last week with 13wickets in three CommonwealthBank Series OneDay Internationals for Australiaagainst Pakistan, winningtwo man-of-the-matchawards and the player-ofthe-seriesaward.“If I play I’ll certainly lookforward to playing againstGayle,” Harris said. “It’s alwaysa good challengeagainst people of his ability.“It was very exciting bowlingagainst him at theGabba in the Big Bash andit would be great to get anotheropportunity. You justcannot miss (your mark)against him – he hits theball a long way otherwise.”The Australia-West Indiesday-nighter should whet theappetite of fans moresoRYAN HARRISHOMETOWN HEROHOPING FOR STRONGGABBA SUPPORTVCHRIS GAYLEthan the inconsistent Pakistanisand Harris wants abig local crowd to show upand support the side.“To play an international infront of my new homecrowd would be fantastic. Ireally hope the crowdscome out and support us.“It was great to play infront of my old home crowdin Adelaide and to getpicked at my other favouriteground, the Gabba,would top off the summer.”A stunned Harris was stillon Cloud Nine this week afterhis devastating return tothe national one-day side,having played just the oneODI 12 months earlier.Hauls of 5-43 in Adelaide,and 5-19 and 3-44 in Perthwere of the highest quality,his pace, swing and accuracyproving too hot for thedispirited visitors.“It still hasn’t sunk in whenI think about last week,” hesaid. “I’m surprised myself.It was a great feeling to bearound the guys again andall I wanted to do was contribute.“So it was good to make animpact and prove to myselfI can play at that level.”Continued, page 5