Australian Test pace bowler Ryan Harris is expected to be out of action for at least six months after undergoing knee surgery.

Veteran Harris, who took two late wickets to help clinch Australia’s 2-1 Test series win over South Africa, underwent an operation on his right knee in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said the surgery “included a clean out of some loose bits of bone and removing bone spurs within the joint”.

“Ryan will be on crutches for a few weeks and we expect a long rehabilitation period,” he added.

Cricket Australia hope Harris will be fit to play in the Test series against Pakistan scheduled for October, likely in the United Arab Emirates, and Kountouris said his progress would be monitored in the meantime.