It is safe to say that it’s been an awful day for Australian cricket. Earlier, James Faulkner was charged for drinking and driving in the United Kingdom, and now experienced fast-bowler Ryan Harris announced an out-of-the-blue retirement from all forms of the sport – just days before the Ashes.

The 35-year-old Harris, who has been battling a knee injury which is believed to have pestered him during Australia’s Ashes tune-up match in England recently, took everyone by surprise when he decided to call a time on his career.

“Given the news I received yesterday, and after talking it over with my family, I know now is the right is the time to step away from cricket,” Harris was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia (CA). “I’m pretty lucky, I have had a wonderful career and nothing made me prouder than pulling on the Baggy Green.”

“I played 27 more Tests than I ever thought I would and I have relished every single moment of them,” a speed-star of 27 Tests (113 wickets) quipped further.

Consequently, the CA announced young paceman Pat Cummins as the replacement for the prestigious 5-match Test series, popularly known as the Ashes. The series is scheduled to begin from July 8 at Cardiff.