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Harris set to miss West Indies tour

Ryan Harris opens up on World Cup squad omission and reveals why he'll likely miss important international tour

Fast bowler Ryan Harris has revealed the extent of his disappointed at having been left out of Australia's ICC Cricket World Cup squad and has also flagged he is likely to miss the tour of the West Indies due to the expected timing of the birth of his first child.

However, the fiercely-competitive Harris made it clear in a radio interview with SEN's The Run Home that he understands why Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel omitted him from the World Cup squad, and has backed fellow Test-team speedsters Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to back up Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson with aplomb in the 50-over format's showcase event.

Related: Harris held back for Ashes defence

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Read: The World Cup squad revealed

"I am disappointed. I would have loved to have played in the World Cup, that's the bottom line," Harris told SEN.

"But at the end of the day it's my age, it's the knee, and I knew that going in.

"I also I haven't played one day cricket (since February 2012). The guys that have been playing have done a great job.

"To get back in the side I would have to be bowling well, which I feel like I am, and also to be fit enough to be back in that team and bottom line is I'm not. I wish I was five years younger."

Harris was full of praise for how World Cup squad members Starc and Hazlewood handled the fourth Commonwealth Bank Test at the SCG, which was played on a batsman-friendly pitch.

He expects the pair to be rested during the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series against India and England, his hunch backed up by the inclusion of bowlers Kane Richardson and Gurinder Sandhu in the national squad for those matches.

Sydney Thunder quick Pat Cummins is also in the squads for both the tri-series and the World Cup.

"I thought the way (Starc and Hazlewood) came out and bowled was just outstanding," Harris said of the pair's efforts in the drawn SCG Test.

"Mitch Starc has copped it this summer, and copped it a bit before, but the way he bowled with the new ball in the first innings and then came out when the pitch flattened out and the ball was reversing just showed what Mitchell Starc can do.

"And Josh Hazlewood in his first full series did very, very well as well.

"They are a bit tired and they are going to be tired as they have young bodies. I am not sure what they are doing with the one-dayers (against India and England); they might have a rest in the first two or three but going into a World Cup those are the guys you want in your team."

Harris also revealed the physical battle he faced during the Test series, and how he knew deep down that he simply wasn't the right option for the World Cup.

"It would have been challenging," he said.

"I want to say it would've been able to … but I have just come out of a Test series and could only manage three Tests because I had a bit of a niggle.

"My knee's really sore and it's pulled up quite sore after each game.

"I would have tried but when you're in a World Cup and you have a small squad of 15 guys you can't rely on 14 of them and see how I am feeling after every game when every game is a big game. 

"You pick 15 for a reason they have to be up and going every game.

"Darren (Lehmann) and the selectors, and hopefully Michael (Clarke), can't be relying on asking 'how are you going this game and how you going that game'. It's too much stress to worry about on one player and you shouldn't have to worry about that in the World Cup."

With the World Cup not on Harris's agenda, he will now focus on preparing his body for Australia's tilt at retaining the Ashes in England later this year.

Due to personal circumstances, it seems likely he will miss Australia's next Test tour, of the West Indies, with his wife, Cherie, set to give birth to the couple's first child.

"I won't play T20 (in the KFC T20 Big Bash League). The (Brisbane) Heat lost last night so they're out for the season," said Harris.

"The West Indies tour? I'm not sure as (my wife has) a baby due early June which is when that tour is on so I'm not sure I'll make the West Indies.

Harris joked that his dog won't be happy when the child is born and revealed Bupa Support Team head coach Darren Lehmann has told him he should skip the West Indies tour.

"(West Indies) is the worst possible place to go to get home from and Darren made it clear I should stay home and spend some time with my wife."

Ryan Harris talks about the love for his family, cars, pets and playing cricket for Australia

The exciting personal situation Harris faces this year is something Australia allrounder Shane Watson will also have to consider with his wife, Lee, also pregnant.

Watson announced the news via his Twitter account at the end of the Test series against India.

While Harris has confirmed he will miss BBL action, his summer isn't over with the popular veteran gearing up to take part in a couple of Bupa Sheffield Shield games.

Related: View the 2015 schedule here

"I think there's four shield games left and I'm playing the one in Tasmania and then the last one at Brisbane," Harris said.

"Basically, my program when we get through these Shield games, we will work back from the first tour game over in England and then work back to where I am and where I need to start and where I need to be at certain times and how many balls I've bowled.

"The big thing for me will be my strength. My right knee is not great so I have to get a lot of strength in my right leg and both my legs.

"I didn't have a great build up going into this Test series and I felt that at times in third and fourth spells but If I have the build-up before I had going into the England (series) over in England I'll be fit and strong."