Ryan Harris has been the rock in Australia's attack this series. Source: Getty Images
RYAN Harris is one of Australian cricket's great success stories.
To be the leading fast bowler in an Ashes series at the age of almost 34 is a testament to Ryan's courage and character.
For all the hard work he has done over the past three Tests, and there has been plenty, his toughest journey has been off the field.
Ryan could have thrown the towel in any number of times over his career as he battled serious injury.
Yet he never lost the desire to play for his country and once he finally earned a baggy green cap aged 30 he has excelled.
I doubt Ryan has ever bowled better than on this tour, with the fitness he gained playing for Australia A in the lead-up building a base which has allowed him to play three full Tests in a row for the first time.
And we are very confident he will make it four in a row when the last Test begins at The Oval tomorrow.
This continuity has given Ryan increasing confidence in his body and his bowling and it shows.
He has regularly been the fastest bowler in the series but his greatest asset is to keep asking the batsmen questions with his unerring accuracy and consistent movement in the air and off the wicket.
I'm not big on stats but in Ryan case's they tell the story of just how good he has been as a late bloomer.
In 15 Tests he has 67 wickets at an average of 22 and in one fewer Test than the other leading fast bowlers in this series he has the most wickets, 20 at just 19 apiece, highlighted by a seven-wicket haul in the second innings at Chester-le-Street which kept us in the game.
Ryan is a terrific bloke to have around. It is obvious that he cherishes every opportunity to wear the baggy green when he must have feared the opportunity would pass him bye.
For someone who has been through so much to play for his country he is easy going and uncomplaining.
Another late bloomer is Chris Rogers, who deserves enormous credit for the century he scored in the last Test.
It wasn't always easy but he toughed it out to make his first Test hundred, which was a magnificent achievement.
Chris is 36 at the end of the month so he too must have wondered if the opportunity to play more than just one Test for Australia had been and gone.
It is a great credit to him that he has grabbed that opportunity with both hands.
Another good Test at The Oval and Chris can look forward to the return Ashes series in Australia with confidence.
That goes for all of us.
Yes we have lost the series but we can't be worried about the waves crashing around us.
We must focus on the horizon and what's to come. There is much to play for.
First and foremost we want to go home with a win. It's been a while since we've had that feeling and we desperately want it back.
Victory would give us momentum going into the Twenty20 and one-day series and bprovide a launching pad for the Ashes at home this summer.
We have struggled for success against England in all three forms of the game recently.
That is something we want to change, beginning tomorrow.
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