George on standby for Harris

A side injury sustained during the one-day series may keep Ryan Harris out of the opening Test against New Zealand in Wellington

Pace bowler Ryan Harris is a doubt for the first Test against New Zealand, prompting Australia to call Peter George across the Tasman as cover.

Harris complained of soreness in his left side after the fourth match of the recent one-day series, which Australia won 3-2, forcing him to sit out the final game.

With poor weather in New Zealand preventing Australia from training outdoors, the former Sussex player is struggling to prove his fitness for the opening Test in Wellington, starting on Friday.

Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris claims Harris has “improved significantly” since the one-day contest, and “has bowled at low intensity for the last two training days”.

He added: “However, due to the inclement weather he was unable to bowl outdoors as planned today and therefore it is not clear if he will be available for the first Test match.

“The plan is he will bowl again outdoors tomorrow and hopefully be passed fit to play.”

With the selectors reluctant to call on any of the players taking part in the Sheffield Shield final between Victoria and Queensland, which got under way at the MCG today, George instead got the nod.

The 23-year-old, who made his first-class debut for South Africa in 2008-09, has taken 36 wickets at 30.44 in 10 games this season, including a best of 8-48 - and match figures of 11-131 - against Tasmania last November.

“Peter George is an exciting young fast bowler who has a very good Sheffield Shield season with South Australia,” said national selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch.

“The NSP believes that should the opportunity arise, Peter has the skills to succeed at this level and will benefit greatly from being around the Australian set-up.”