Five days before the opening delivery of the 2015 Ashes series, Australia has lost one of its key bowling weapons – not just from the tour but from the game and drafted into their squad young replacement Pat Cummins.

Harris had undertaken an extensive training program following major surgery on his battle-scarred right knee in March last year in order to have him in peak condition for the upcoming Ashes campaign, of which he was deemed a vital part. But this shocking news is just surprising.