Ryan Harris announces shock retirement from international cricket

New Delhi: Veteran Australian pacer Ryan Harris has bid adieu to cricket which comes as a shock to many lovers of the game worldwide.

Knee injury has forced Harris to retire from the sport and that serves as a big blow for the Aussies ahead of the Ashes starting from 10th July.

The news was confirmed by Cricket Australia through their official account on micro-blogging site Twitter.

BREAKING: Ryan Harris has announced his retirement from all cricket effective immediately #Ashes — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 4, 2015

Congrats to @r_harris413 who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket effective immediately. A true Aussie cricketing legend. — Cricket Australia (@CAComms) July 4, 2015

Pat Cummins has been named as the replacement of Ryan Harris for the Ashes series.

Ryan Harris out of Ashes tour, to be replaced by Pat Cummins. — Andrew Ramsey (@ARamseyCricket) July 4, 2015

Injury ruled out Harris of Australia’s tour match against Essex at Chelmsford. Harris played the week before against Kent and results of scans on a painful knee spelt trouble for the pacer.

Harris has been one of Australia's best Test bowler in recent times and his knee injury forced him to call it a day from all forms of cricket.

Harris had played 27 Tests for Australia and picked 113 wickets with an impressive average of 23.52.