'Fresh' Harris says wants to 'finish off' England instead of resting in Sydney Test

Veteran Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris has revealed that he has asked team coach Darren Lehmann to let him 'finish the job' on England instead of being rested in the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney.

There has some speculation that Harris, with his long injury history, will be told to put his feet up at the SCG when Australia aim for a 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

However, News.com.au reports that Harris said that he spoke to with Lehmann and Australian captain Michael Clarke after the Boxing Day Test win and assured them that he was ready to play in the Sydney Test as he feels fresh, despite some normal swelling on his chronic knee injury in between Tests.

Stating that he is preparing to play in the fifth Test starting on Friday, Harris, who will be assessed by team medicos to make a recommendation on whether he plays in Sydney, said that he wants to finish the 'job' on England, adding that he is better off playing than being rested as he finds it hard to get his body going again once he comes to a standstill.

The report mentioned that Australia has the big picture in mind and, with the Ashes won, does not want to do anything to jeopardise Harris' fitness ahead of a marquee three-Test battle in South Africa in February and March.

If Harris is rested against his wishes, fast bowling all rounder James Faulkner would almost certainly play at the SCG, the report added.