Harris: We’re a better unit than in 2013

Ahead of the Ashes series starting next month Australia seamer Ryan Harris feels their bowling attack is better than the one that lost the urn in England two years ago.

Australia lost the 2013 Ashes series three-nil in England with Harris leading a younger Aussie pace attack at the time. Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle and James Patinson were on tour while there was no Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson made a stunning return in the next Ashes, in Australia, capturing 37 wickets as the home side won five-nil and is now arguably the leader of the attack.

Starc is the probably the most feared bowler in world this year after his exploits at the world cup, where he was the leading wicket-taker.

Harris said: "Mitchell Starc is bowling quicker. He was on that tour (in 2013) and played a couple of games, I think he's bowling a lot better than what he was then.

"He's bowling quicker and more accurately. Mitch wasn't there, we've got him. We're probably better placed I reckon, having Mitch back in. We're definitely a better unit."

While Harris has been a first choice pick over the last few years, when he is fit, he is battling for a starting place ahead of the Ashes after the emergence of Josh Hazlewood in the India series last year.

The 24 year-old Hazlewood followed up the India Tests with a decent world cup then did well in the West Indies when Harris skipped the tour as his wife was giving birth to his son. Harris knows in what position the selectors are in.

He said: "Where we are at the moment is what should happen in the Australian team. Everyone should be fighting for those spots.

"I haven't thought too much about it, I'm here to play five Tests, I want to play as much as I can, but the disadvantage of that is I missed a tour."

The Ashes starts on 8 July with the first Test in Cardiff.

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