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Ashes hero Harris earns a rest

Australia's player-of-the-series Ryan Harris will receive a well-earned break to rest up for the return Ashes starting in November after he was forced from the field on the dramatic final day at The Oval.

In four Tests, Harris took 24 wickets at 19.5 in a stunning return to Test cricket, confirming his standing as one of the best fast bowlers in the world.

"He is unbelievable. Statistics don't lie in Rhino's case," said captain Michael Clarke.

"His stats are as good as anyone's who I have ever played with."

The 33-year-old played four consecutive matches for the first time in his career and his notoriously injury-prone body nearly made it through unscathed.

Harris was forced to leave the field late on the final day, but not before he'd taken the crucial wicket of Kevin Pietersen in England's dramatic run-chase to cement his place as the series' second-highest wicket-taker behind England spinner Graeme Swann.

It took Swann five Tests to take 26 and that was on dry pitches tailor-made to suit him.

Harris was outstanding in his return at Lord's and took career-best figures (7-117) in the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street.

He's a genuine wicket-taker.

Clarke said Harris would be pivitol in winning back the urn on home soil.

"He (Harris) doesn't give up," he said. "He doesn't stop. I love him in the team and most importantly, he's a great man."

Clarke said there is more than enough time for the veteran to refuel.

"I had to send him off the field at the end because he wasn't fit to bowl," Clarke said.

"But I think he'll be fine. He's bowled a lot throughout this series. He deserves a break and he's got one coming up."