Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris’s hopes of being fit for next week’s first Ashes Test suffered a blow on Wednesday with a recurrence of the knee trouble that has blighted his career. The setback ruled him out of the team’s final warm-up match against Essex.

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The 35-year-old paceman underwent major surgery to his right knee last year and put himself on a lengthy fitness programme in a bid to be fit in time to face England in Cardiff.

Although officials labelled Harris’s latest injury, which saw him replaced by Peter Siddle for the four-day game against Essex, as nothing more serious than “soreness” it may well be enough to keep him out of the side when Australia launch their defence of the Ashes.

Harris missed Australia’s recent series win in the West Indies in order to be present for the birth of his child.

“We pulled him out because he’s sore, he’s going to get some scans done and we’ll have a better idea in a day or two,” Australia coach Darren Lehmann said.

The match against Essex saw home captain Ravi Bopara, the England all-rounder, win the toss and field.

avid Warner blazed his way to 94 before falling just short of a hundred before lunch when caught by Bopara at third slip off Jamie Porter.

Thereafter, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh took charge as he cracked a superb 136 off 151 balls to all but ensure his spot in the team ahead of Shane Watson. Australia ended the day on 440 for six.