Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris will be on the sidelines for six months following a knee operation.

The 34-year-old underwent surgery yesterday following the Aussies' recent series win over South Africa.

"Ryan will be on crutches for a few weeks and we expect a long rehabilitation period," BBC Sport quotes team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris as saying. "Hopefully he will be fit to play in the test series against Pakistan."

Harris also played a role in Australia's 5-0 triumph over England in the Ashes series Down Under.