Ryan Harris considered retiring from cricket

Australian fast bowling sensation Ryan Harris, who took nine wickets in the Perth Test, has admitted that he considered retiring from first-class cricket on the eve of the Ashes.

Only six weeks ago, a troubled Harris was so worried about his chronic right knee injury that he thought seriously about discarding his baggy green dream and instead becoming a one-day and Twenty20 specialist.

Harris had revolutionary off-season surgery on his knee but was in so much pain after his comeback game, a Sheffield Shield match for Queensland against Tasmania in Hobart in early November, that he was close to retiring from Test cricket, The Herald Sun reports.

"Just six weeks ago, I certainly didn't think I'd be anywhere near where I am now. I thought I got my knee right but it really blew up in the game that I played against Tassie. I was worried, Alex (Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris) was really worried," Harris said.

"I remember thinking about retiring from four-day cricket, it was a possibility that I was definitely thinking about. It might have been a last resort, but it was on my mind, and I'm so glad that I didn't make that decision," he said.

Harris wasn't picked for the Gabba Test but showed stunning form and was called up for the Adelaide Test.

The 31-year-old was Australia's best bowler on a flat Adelaide track but took nine wickets in Perth Test that sealed his place in the team for his first Boxing Day Test.