Harris harbours England hopes

Ryan Harris on his way to 19 before starring with the ball for Sussex on the opening day

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Ryan Harris made an immediate impression with county champions Sussex as 14 wickets tumbled on the opening day of the first-class season.

The 28-year-old, one of 10 foreign cricketers to be cleared for county action in the past 24 hours, took three wickets and claimed a run out as the MCC closed on 130 for four, a deficit of 41 at Lord's.

Technically, he is now viewed as an Englishman himself, although he will take four years to qualify for international recognition.

"It is a big career move," said Harris, whose previous trips to Lord's, including the World Cup final in 1999, were as a spectator. "My sole objective is to play here at Sussex this year and do really well. Who knows from there?

"I have not looked too far ahead. If I take enough wickets and score enough runs other things will take care of themselves.

"That has been my attitude in Australia and I am going to follow that over here. I have signed up for two years with Sussex, whatever happens from there happens.

"If it goes on further, great. I am hoping it does. If it doesn't then maybe somewhere else. With regards to playing back in Australia, I am not sure about that yet.

"If I do it will be as an overseas player, so whether or not a state would do that is something I am still working on now."

Harris arrived in Hove just over a week ago and saw snow for the first time in his life at the weekend.

Having played league cricket in Lancashire, he showed no aversion to the cold, however, and hopes to string some games together following an injury-plagued start to his career.

"I have been just about injury-free now for three years now, I am 28 and my body has fully developed," Harris added.

"I have been in the South Australia squad for eight years and played only 26 Pura Cup matches, so I have not played as much as I would have liked.

"Now is my time I think and I feel confident about playing my best cricket in the next five years."

Owais Shah survived a sharp chance to second slip off Harris when on 25 and was the one batsman to prosper on the opening day, hitting the match's first half-century.