New Aussie Cricket Hero is Cross Graduate

Ryan Harris, an Australian swing bowler who burst into the national side and twice decimated Pakistan in the recent one-day series, is a graduate of Gerrards Cross CC -- the same club where England 's current skipper Andrew Strauss started his cricketing career as a colt.

Harris, then aged 19, played the 1999 season as the overseas player at the Cross. He broke into the Aussie one-day side at the end of January and took thirteen wickets in three matches, including returns of 5-43 and 5-19.

Gerrards Cross CC Chairman Richard Graham said: "We have fond memories of Ryan's time as a young overseas player here. He took 34 league wickets and scored more than 600 runs for us that season at an average of 76 -- which remains a club record."

"It would be thrilling if Ryan is part of the Aussie squad that tries to regain the Ashes from Andrew Strauss's men next winter."