Schedule makes World T20 'a waste of time': Harris

Former Australia fast-bowler Ryan Harris has lamented the compressed international schedule and labelled the ICC World T20 a "waste of time" ahead of the tournament starting in India next month.

Harris, who retired before the Ashes last year, said scheduling was a major issue for the T20 format on the international stage.

Australia has played just eight T20 internationals since the last World T20 in Bangladesh two years ago, including a run of just one game between November 2014 and January this year. 

Harris says the scarcity of matches makes it difficult to build a meaningful campaign for a World Cup.

"Personally, I think it’s a waste of time having a Twenty20 World Cup,” Harris told Melbourne radio station SEN.

"Last year we played one T20, this year I think we play six.

"To take it seriously, I think you need to play a lot more than that when there’s a World Cup involved."

Harris said the tight international schedule – there are only three days between last night’s KFC T20 INTL against India and Wednesday’s first ODI against New Zealand – has hindered the Australian team’s preparation for the ICC’s T20 showpiece.

WATCH: Bowlers expecting tough time at Eden Park

"Scheduling there doesn't exactly let you have your best team out on the park," Harris said.

"You've got your one-day team, who's probably half of your T20 side, having to get over to New Zealand and acclimatise.

"I know when we get our best side on the park - that wasn't far away from it yesterday - I know we'll perform well."

In an effort to combat the quick turnaround between series, the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner were taken out of Australia’s T20 squad and flown to New Zealand before the end of the series against India.

Australia used 19 different players across the three-match T20 series, raising questions over the make-up of its best XI for the World T20.

WATCH: India win final-ball thriller at the SCG

Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann recently conceded that the schedule has thrown up some challenges but he remains optimistic about Australia’s prospects in India.

"We’ve only played four games in the last 18 months, and we’ve lost three of them,” he said before Sunday's match in Sydney.

"They don’t play that often together, scheduling is always a tough one for us, we’re obviously getting prepared for New Zealand which is an important tour as well.

"The World T20 is just around the corner, so you’ve got to find the best solution somewhere, so we’ve got some guys in New Zealand, some guys here, we’re rewarding good performances in the BBL and having a look at some young guys.

"So it’s a tough one, but we’re really confident where we are going with the World T20, although obviously the two results (in Adelaide and Melbourne) don’t help."

WATCH: Lehmann looks ahead to NZ, World T20

Harris, meanwhile, also welcomed Michael Clarke’s decision to return to the game, saying he thought the former captain had retired too early.

"He’s a very passionate cricket person – he loves the game," Harris said.

"I was sad to see him retire (in August).

"It’s good to see that he’s going to go back and play some grade cricket. The guys in that team would get a buzz to play with him again.

"The T20 leagues around the world would benefit big-time from having Michael Clarke in their league."

Perhaps to the dismay of Australian cricket fans, Harris emphatically denied that he could make a comeback of his own, citing that his injury-plagued right knee is still not 100 per cent.

"I’d love to come back and roll the arm over but unfortunately (my knee) is not allowing me to do that."